International Tenant

[Shital Thakkar]

Hi,

International tenant (From UK) is interested in renting my property. He is coming to US for 1 year for comapny related work. His company provides deposit and first month rent... how to screen this tenatn as he doens not have any Social Security.

Please advice..

[Jon Holdman]

99.999999% sure this is a "check scam". If you agree to go forward, "his company" will send you a check for the deposit and first month's rent. Uh oh, the company will cut the check to you to include his "moving expenses". You'll get the check and deposit it. Then, he will ask you to wire back the "moving expenses". You do. A couple of weeks later, the check is found to be fake and your bank debits it back out of your account. You've just been scammed out of the moving expenses.

If you want to get to the bottom of this, tell him to contact you when he arrives and if the property is still available, you will show it to him.

If you want to string him along, give him the info. When the whole "wire me some money back" thing comes up (it will), tell him your bank holds international checks for four weeks. Tell him once it clears, you'll get the money back to him.

Google "419 baiters" to learn more about these scammers.

When you post your rentals on craigslist, include "Absolutely no responses to e-mails. If you're interested, CALL ME." And write out part of your phone number in words.