If you are going to be using Craigslist, which I do like BTW, be very careful if your property is vacant. I had posted an earlier comment regarding people running a con game where they rent empty homes to unsuspecting consumers.It is very rampant on Craigslist...where I have heard any mention of foreclosure, REO, bank owned, etc...you could have a duplicate post "for rent" on the same property withing a short time. As an agent who uses Craigslist...I recommend running searches of your posts and addresses periodically to make sure you don't fall victim.http://blog.foreclosure.com/2009/02/foreclosure-rent-scam-uncovered-in-affluent-dallas-suburb/
Hey There Martin; Thanks for the wake-up call. Craig's List is a rogue blog that carries ads from anybody with no verification. I love the ad that says "come take my stuff ~ I don't want it anymore." Imagine coming home to your house after a hard day's work, and seeing all these strangers driving away with your prized possessions.
How about just putting the different areas of town, make it very generic - argyle, 4/2 price call me.
Something like that not even a picture. In my area Argyle is not a town, but an area and pretty big, hard for them to scam that, I would think.
My understanding is you need to flag it and report it to legal@craigslist.com They have ways of tracking it and reporting it to the authorities. I have been putting "24 hour notice", "By appointment Only", and NO interior photos that would show vacancy. I really like CL and will continue using it...I think you just need to be careful.
Can it be tracked who is using your ad for rental? I always used CL but never seen this. Is it under RE section or Rental? Maybe I should go on CL site and check it out.
Thank you so much for the heads up!!!
Its crazy...I just got an email from a thread that ran on linkedin and 3 out of the 28 respondents checked their listings on Craigslist and had "rental" ads running using the same description, same photos and the listing agents information...just a different contact number...so not only do you need to worry about the property, but these people are representing themselves as the listing agents...how nuts is that!!!
Very happy to live and work in the midwest...we don't see much of that activity. It helps when everyone watches out for neighbors...ohh and they all own guns!!!
Hi Martin. I have had this happen several times over the last couple years. It seems to be getting worse. Lucky for one would be renter; she saw my ad and called me. We saved her from sending these criminals a deposit.
Comments
Bud Herzog
Something like that not even a picture. In my area Argyle is not a town, but an area and pretty big, hard for them to scam that, I would think.
Thank you so much for the heads up!!!