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The Craigslist Rental Scam takes America!

October 22, 2009 By Doug Francis

Yehuda's stolen bike on Craigslist
Image by richardmasoner via Flickr

To post on Craigslist or not to post on Craigslist is a tough question?

Before you get all up in arms over my hesitation, know that I just posted a rental listing there because I know that Northern Virginia renters use Craigslist to find apartments all the time… and they love the freedom of it.

In the best interests of my clients, I too will go where the people are looking.

The real estate scammers are here too…

But this is where the Nigerian scammers go too. They will re-post a rental on Craigslist for $500 less fishing for a victim who is looking for a rare Internet deal. But those well intentioned renters who thought they were finding a great Internet deal were in reality falling deep into an African diamond mine.

The first time this scam came to my attention was when an old client, who has moved away, told me that people arrived at her door to rent her home. In fact, they had already sent off a deposit check to someone none of us knew. Oops.

In September, I read an excellent blog post from Kris Berg in California about the hassles created by scammers on her rental listings. As you may know, all you need to post an ad on Craigslist is a gmail or yahoo e-mail account. These accounts can be set up in minutes and then voila, the listing is posted. Let’s just say that Kris was a tad bitter at the hassles these people had created for many people in San Diego… who were all calling her!

After reading her post, I did some research and found “The Real Estate Bloggers” site which had an interesting FBI alert on the topic of Craigslist scammers. There were many comments on the blog post but this one really got to me:

Sounds like it to me, I just fell for a scam yesterday, cost me $700.00. I had no idea this stuff was going on till now. The scammer was smooth, he said his wife and him were Christians and were in Nigeria on business but would be back in a few years, wanted responsible renters to take care of their house for them as he built it himself. He emailed me regularly and called me a couple times too. Even sent us a rental agreement…. He said he would Fed Ex the keys to us after we made the deposit to him Western Union. today he called and wanted first and last months rent, that’s what got me as we told him we weren’t going to move in till next month. I can’t believe I was so stupid.

So let’s remember that there are folks trying to rip us off. Let’s be careful out there!

Here’s an update: Since I first wrote this article it has been viewed hundreds of times. But in 2011, this scam is still going on and good people are still sending money to scammers. An excellent article by Jay Thompson – a real estate guy in Phoenix – is worth a read.

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Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Jay Thompson, real estate, rental, scam, virginia

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In-depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he was profiled in a commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" global ad campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna (#3!). He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

When we bought our house, we were thinking about raising the kids, updating, and building an addition. With our kids now out of college, our plans are looking at our next phase, especially after seeing friends move away and adjust their lifestyles.

So, what’s next after 25 years? It’s a conversation lots of my clients are having with me as they plan to move to the beach, travel, or move closer to grandkids. Helping them see their future, sell their current home, and move ahead to their new plan has been an interesting new chapter.

My background… I am an active licensed agent in Virginia, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Let me help you too: Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

6808 BROYHILL ST
MCLEAN, VA
Photo of 6808 BROYHILL ST, MCLEAN, VA 22101 (MLS # VAFX2137956)
$2,499,000
49
  • Lot Size
    16,989 sqft

  • Home Size
    6,708 sqft

  • Beds
    6 Beds

  • Baths
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Photo of 102 JAMES DR SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2150256)
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2511 BABCOCK RD
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Photo of 2511 BABCOCK RD, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149442)
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8807 HIGDON DR
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Photo of 8807 HIGDON DR, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149464)
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Photo of 610 MEADOW LN SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149952)
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626 HILLCREST DR SW
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Photo of 626 HILLCREST DR SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149036)
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904 DALE CT SE
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Photo of 904 DALE CT SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149540)
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9838 CORAL BELLS CT
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Photo of 9838 CORAL BELLS CT, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149568)
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10009 MURNANE ST
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Photo of 10009 MURNANE ST, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149646)
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Photo of 131 KINGSLEY RD SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149584)
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Photo of 3005 SPICE CT, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2148724)
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  • 102 JAMES DR SE
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    Photo of 102 JAMES DR SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2150256)
    $2,199,888
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  • 2511 BABCOCK RD
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 2511 BABCOCK RD, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149442)
    $1,295,000
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    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 8807 HIGDON DR, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149464)
    $1,088,888
    Lot Size
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    Home Size
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    Beds
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  • 610 MEADOW LN SW
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 610 MEADOW LN SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149952)
    $1,495,000
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    Home Size
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    Beds
    6 Beds

    Baths
    6 Baths

  • 626 HILLCREST DR SW
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 626 HILLCREST DR SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149036)
    $3,600,000
    Lot Size
    23,523 sqft

    Home Size
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    Beds
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  • 904 DALE CT SE
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 904 DALE CT SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149540)
    $1,795,000
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    10,455 sqft

    Home Size
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  • 9838 CORAL BELLS CT
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 9838 CORAL BELLS CT, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149568)
    $1,200,000
    Lot Size
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    Home Size
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  • 10009 MURNANE ST
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 10009 MURNANE ST, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149646)
    $3,300,000
    Lot Size
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    Home Size
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    Beds
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    Baths
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  • 131 KINGSLEY RD SW
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 131 KINGSLEY RD SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149584)
    $2,525,000
    Lot Size
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    Home Size
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    Beds
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    Baths
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  • 3005 SPICE CT
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 3005 SPICE CT, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2148724)
    $599,000
    Lot Size
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    Home Size
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    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
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About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing, and my marketing starts here. My clients have been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients for Fall 2023 right now.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

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TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

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