Scammers have upped the game

[Mike S.]

I have had more than a few placements using Craigslist.  Scammers have always been a problem there, copying my ad and listing it at ridiculously low prices.  I often search for and report them if they copy my ad.  Usually it's only copied the first week I post them.  My last rental, I even had someone call saying they paid the money and tried to get the keys from me.  I already had it rented and the tenants were moving in at this time. 

    I ended up finding it on housesforrent (.) ws. Potentially this site itself is in on the scam, because the reporting function there doesn't work.

    On to the updated scam,  posted another rental on Craiglist, checked today and my listing was flagged as prohibited.  Found the fake ad again on housesforrent (.) ws less than half price.  The kicker is, they've added detail to the ad that they could only have gotten by calling me.  For intstance, they have my pet fee amounts, that are unpublished and specific to number of pets, listed exactly.

   I've searched this scammer's number and they are obviously copying ads all across the country.  I may have to forgo Craigslist from now one, it's too much hassle.

[Jay Hinrichs]

Originally posted by @Mike S.:

I have had more than a few placements using Craigslist.  Scammers have always been a problem there, copying my ad and listing it at ridiculously low prices.  I often search for and report them if they copy my ad.  Usually it's only copied the first week I post them.  My last rental, I even had someone call saying they paid the money and tried to get the keys from me.  I already had it rented and the tenants were moving in at this time. 

    I ended up finding it on housesforrent (.) ws. Potentially this site itself is in on the scam, because the reporting function there doesn't work.

    On to the updated scam,  posted another rental on Craiglist, checked today and my listing was flagged as prohibited.  Found the fake ad again on housesforrent (.) ws less than half price.  The kicker is, they've added detail to the ad that they could only have gotten by calling me.  For intstance, they have my pet fee amounts, that are unpublished and specific to number of pets, listed exactly.

   I've searched this scammer's number and they are obviously copying ads all across the country.  I may have to forgo Craigslist from now one, it's too much hassle.

its going to come full circle were rentals will go in print media .. back to the future.. and craigslist has been so infected that it is no longer viable for real estate landlording.