Stop Scamming Us

Craigslist is a new-age breeding ground for all types of scams, including, but not limited to: mortgage fraud scams, rental scams, identity theft, etc. While reputable businesses do advertise online, Craigslist happens to be the site that scammers love to target because millions of people use it everyday, thus victims are easier to attract. To be aware of the most common ways in which scammers lure people in, note the following:

1. Requests from people to send deposits before you had an opportunity to meet them and verify the terms of the deal.
2. Requests that deposit money be sent when you have not viewed the property in person (not online).
3. Receiving checks where someone asks that you cash it on their behalf and you get to keep a fee. This scam rests on the fact that after you deposit the bad check with your institution and you send the scammer their share, it will take days for your bank to realize that it is a fraudulent check. When the bank reverses the fees, guess who is on the hook for paying back the bank for money? You are. Good luck trying to find the scammer that provided you with the bad check.
4. Emails, letters, or requests from people in countries such as Sierra Leone and Nigeria. Normally, these scammers will write a letter that suggests that they are in immediate danger and are desperate to receive funds to help them run from the false situation. These letters or requests are normally sent from someone using the title of Doctor, Lawyer, and/or Minister.
5. Beware of rental application fees for properties that you have not visited and/or verified who the true owner is.
6. Be careful of job ads. Some of the job ads will require that you submit your personal information such as your Social Security Number, date of birth, and address. Guess what this information may be used for? Perhaps mortgage fraud! In this scenario, many victims have found that a scammer used their information to take out a mortgage in their name and without permission. Research the company first and check with any and all licensing bureaus to ensure legitimacy.
7. Beware of employment verification calls from a third party that likes to say they were hired by the company whose application you filled out on Craigslist. What happens is the “third party” company will ask you a series of questions, some of which will include you to provide your date of birth, Social Security Number, and employment history. What do you think this information will be used for? Possibly identify theft to further perpetrate a number of frauds.