I've been looking for rental housing in my area. This couple posted a realistic scenario on Craigslist. This is a community where people do come and go due to the nature of the businesses in the area so it was reasonable to see a couple looking for someone to rent their apartment after the husband had been transferred to Texas. The phone number they later provided via email has a Texas area code: (512)571-3680.
The first response I received to my inquiry was from the "husband" telling me to contact his "wife" directly at her personal email address - [email protected] - because he was out of town. I figured that meant he had already moved due to his job transfer and that she was still in the area looking for renters, so I emailed his wife as requested and asked for addional information and to see if I could schedule a visit.
She replied with a number of photos (which I have since found at a realtor's website). Her grammar and punctuation weren't clear, but what she did make clear was that they were looking for someone who would take good care of their apartment in their absence. In her emails, she also made it clear that neither of them were in the area and that they would have to send me their paperwork on the place as well as the key after I'd paid the deposit and sent them my personal information. (see below)
At this point, I responded that I am not comfortable renting without seeing the entire apartment first. That's when I received a very short email asking me to call them. I have not called them and will not call them. Thank you, RipOffReport for having this service. Within minutes after entering their names in a seach engine, I learned of their scam.
Here is a copy of one email they sent me:
Thanks for the email. My husband owns the apartment , also want you to know that it was due to my husband's transfer that made us leave the apartment and also want to give it out for rent and looking for a responsible person that can take good care of the apartment
So for now we are in Texas ,we tried to look for an agent that we can give this documents before we left but could not see and we dont want the apartment to be used any how in our absence that is why i took the keys and documents along with me,,so i hope you will promise us to take very good care of the apartment .
So get back to me on how you could take care of our apartment or perhaps experience you have in renting a home.Hope you are okay with the price per month which includes the utilities above in which some have to be paid for as the month ends (when you receive the documents and keys, you will read it all in the documents, the bills arrangement and procedures and other major information)The refundable deposit is $500
Here is another email they sent:
Thanks for your response once again, I really appreciate your expression. We don't have any friend or relative to show you inside the apartment because I'm with the keys and documents.I want you to stick to your words. I want you to fill out the questions below, you must answer those questions to qualify for the rental of our apartment. We would offer a long term and short term rental anytime you wish to leave the apartment will be grateful and we are ready to rent for as long as you want. Note that you will not be allowed to view inside the apartment until everything is being finalize as the keys/document are with me in Texas, You can only view the apartment from the outside. The rent per month includes all UTILITIES with PARKING available.
*********RENT APPLICATION FORM*********
(Private & Confidential)
1) Your Full Name ??
2) Your Full Address ??
3) Phone Number ??
4) Citizen or Country ??
5) How old are you ??
6) Are you married ??
7) Sex ??
8) Religion ??
9) How many people will be living in the apartment ??
10) Do you have a pet ??
11) Do you have a car ??
12) What is your Occupation ??
13) Short or Long Term Lease ??
14) When do you intend moving in : Date ??
15) When do you intend moving out : Date ??
16) How many month's deposit would you be willing to pay upfront with security One or Two Month ??
17) Reference Details ??
18) Occupants Picture ??
Looking forward to reading from you with all this details for approval .Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the documents and the keys to you.
Note:- We're looking for someone who is ready to move in as soon as possible since our apartment is free right now and we will be giving out a month free. God bless you as you do this.
Matthew and Charlene Bennett Reviews
I've been looking for rental housing in my area. This couple posted a realistic scenario on Craigslist. This is a community where people do come and go due to the nature of the businesses in the area so it was reasonable to see a couple looking for someone to rent their apartment after the husband had been transferred to Texas. The phone number they later provided via email has a Texas area code: (512)571-3680.
The first response I received to my inquiry was from the "husband" telling me to contact his "wife" directly at her personal email address - [email protected] - because he was out of town. I figured that meant he had already moved due to his job transfer and that she was still in the area looking for renters, so I emailed his wife as requested and asked for addional information and to see if I could schedule a visit.
She replied with a number of photos (which I have since found at a realtor's website). Her grammar and punctuation weren't clear, but what she did make clear was that they were looking for someone who would take good care of their apartment in their absence. In her emails, she also made it clear that neither of them were in the area and that they would have to send me their paperwork on the place as well as the key after I'd paid the deposit and sent them my personal information. (see below)
At this point, I responded that I am not comfortable renting without seeing the entire apartment first. That's when I received a very short email asking me to call them. I have not called them and will not call them. Thank you, RipOffReport for having this service. Within minutes after entering their names in a seach engine, I learned of their scam.
Here is a copy of one email they sent me:
Thanks for the email. My husband owns the apartment , also want you to know that it was due to my husband's transfer that made us leave the apartment and also want to give it out for rent and looking for a responsible person that can take good care of the apartment
So for now we are in Texas ,we tried to look for an agent that we can give this documents before we left but could not see and we dont want the apartment to be used any how in our absence that is why i took the keys and documents along with me,,so i hope you will promise us to take very good care of the apartment .
So get back to me on how you could take care of our apartment or perhaps experience you have in renting a home.Hope you are okay with the price per month which includes the utilities above in which some have to be paid for as the month ends (when you receive the documents and keys, you will read it all in the documents, the bills arrangement and procedures and other major information)The refundable deposit is $500
Here is another email they sent:
Thanks for your response once again, I really appreciate your expression. We don't have any friend or relative to show you inside the apartment because I'm with the keys and documents.I want you to stick to your words. I want you to fill out the questions below, you must answer those questions to qualify for the rental of our apartment. We would offer a long term and short term rental anytime you wish to leave the apartment will be grateful and we are ready to rent for as long as you want. Note that you will not be allowed to view inside the apartment until everything is being finalize as the keys/document are with me in Texas, You can only view the apartment from the outside. The rent per month includes all UTILITIES with PARKING available.
*********RENT APPLICATION FORM*********
(Private & Confidential)
1) Your Full Name ??
2) Your Full Address ??
3) Phone Number ??
4) Citizen or Country ??
5) How old are you ??
6) Are you married ??
7) Sex ??
8) Religion ??
9) How many people will be living in the apartment ??
10) Do you have a pet ??
11) Do you have a car ??
12) What is your Occupation ??
13) Short or Long Term Lease ??
14) When do you intend moving in : Date ??
15) When do you intend moving out : Date ??
16) How many month's deposit would you be willing to pay upfront with security One or Two Month ??
17) Reference Details ??
18) Occupants Picture ??
Looking forward to reading from you with all this details for approval .Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the documents and the keys to you.
Note:- We're looking for someone who is ready to move in as soon as possible since our apartment is free right now and we will be giving out a month free. God bless you as you do this.