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Ambassador
2,178,433
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

I repeat your question... "how can people be so stupid?"

Jan 29, 2018 05:19 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I agree...Craigslist seems to have too many scammers. Several years ago I was trying to sell a boat. The only responses I received were from scammers. I ended up selling the boat on my own without Craigslist. 

I really wish people would find a more productive use of them rather than trying to figure out how to harm or rip off others. 

Jan 29, 2018 06:16 PM
Rainer
509,449
Susie Kay
Ultra Real Estate Dallas Fort Worth - Plano, TX
North Dallas Specialist

Agree.  There are too many scams out there and people fall for it.

Jan 29, 2018 05:12 PM
Ambassador
5,228,997
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

People have been falling for these scams for years here - they give up their social security numbers and wire their security deposit and first months rent to these scammers over...and over...and over again!

Like you Jeff, I don't understand how they don't think to even LOOK at the place first!

Jan 29, 2018 07:32 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Never fails to amaze me

Jan 29, 2018 05:26 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,806
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I have avoided CraigsList like the plague for more years than I can count. The problem is:

Jan 30, 2018 04:02 AM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

Craigslist is notorious for the worst of scams.  I would say that in the past 5+ years almost every one of my listings has been scammed ... $350,000 house for sale turned into a "supposed" House for Rent for $600.  Really?

NOT!

It's hard to believe people are still falling for this nonsense.  But!  They are.

Jan 29, 2018 09:58 PM
Ambassador
3,164,119
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

you don't have to be on craigs list for someone to fraudlently put a listing on as a rental.  I had it done to me and I don't even post there.  But they took photos from my website and used them and posted it as a rental. 

Since then I have posted signs on my vacant listings saying "THIS PROPERTY IS NOT FOR RENT ON ZILLOW, call Tammy to report if you have seen it there" with my number.  

Jan 29, 2018 07:34 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

These scams work because folks want an unbelievable deal and they are not out there.

Jan 29, 2018 07:18 PM
Rainmaker
2,390,010
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

It just comes down to greed and the thought of easy money DOES make people stupid Jeff Pearl 

Jan 29, 2018 06:27 PM
Rainmaker
399,703
PropertyMinder (AccelerAgent)
PropertyMinder, Inc. - San Jose, CA
Modern Tools for the Modern Agent

Folks still use Craigslist? Aren't there other resources out there?  - Tim

Jan 29, 2018 05:20 PM
Rainmaker
757,885
Peter Testa
Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

I've had people call me & ask me if an ad they saw on craigslist was legit. They never are. 

Jan 30, 2018 06:06 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

They are looking for deals..... it is their choice. I highly recommend everyone to watch Dirty Money and American Greed. 

Jan 29, 2018 11:55 PM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I had this happen on one of my listings (which was for sale) where the person called the number on the sign (which again was my listing) and tried to hand me $500 down payment for a rental when I arrived...

Jan 29, 2018 11:04 PM
Rainer
321,564
Melissa Jackson REALTOR
Trinity Premier Properties - Azle, TX
Helping You Make The Right Move

It amazes me how many people get scammed.  

Jan 29, 2018 09:39 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,225
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Scammers have been around as long as there's been consumers.

Jan 29, 2018 08:32 PM
Ambassador
5,048,708
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

We have been seeing scams on Craiglist for years now, and it seems to be getting worse. It's amazing what people will fall for...but that why scammers are successful and continue to do what they do. I had two listings become rentals!

Jan 29, 2018 08:00 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,171
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

This scam is so old I'm not sure why people are still falling for it. 

Jan 30, 2018 06:42 AM
Ambassador
6,392,879
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

They have attempted it on a few of my rentals, fortunately the people looked me up and rented through me instead of that guy in Africa.

Jan 30, 2018 05:58 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

It happens here in NH nearly every day as well. 1/2 price listings people try to rent with out even seeing and happily wire money to Africa and wonder what went wrong. I go as far as posting my vacant homes that they are NOT for rent from the inside

Jan 30, 2018 05:25 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Supposedly, PT Barnum said, 'There is a sucker born every minute" in the mid 18th Century.  Things have not changed much since, just a different kind of variety of snake oil salesman and woman.  A

Jan 29, 2018 09:44 PM
Rainer
231,224
Mike Rock
Complete Design - Granite Bay, CA
Granite Bay Luxury New Construction...For Less

always use our brains.. and if too good to be true. and trust your gut

Jan 29, 2018 09:00 PM
Rainmaker
4,935,551
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

it is unreal.

Jan 29, 2018 08:44 PM
Rainmaker
1,239,801
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

I got a lender wanting to drive down from SFO to San Jose to qualify my application.  I have no ads and I work in San Jose looking for homes to sell not to buy. You think it is a search keywords glitch?

Jan 29, 2018 06:06 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Jeff Pearl - each day, a new person is born with this skillset!

Jan 30, 2018 11:09 PM
Rainmaker
711,752
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

We put every listing in Craigslist as well as Open Houses. We have had great success in selling our listings and connecting with buyers through this website.  However, every now and then we do get hit with scams.

Jan 30, 2018 05:57 PM
Rainmaker
5,215,388
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

And I often say "you can't fix stupid"!

Jan 30, 2018 04:48 PM
Ambassador
3,344,906
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I ask myself that a lot. I do not know.

Jan 30, 2018 12:44 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,848
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I've had many of my rentals used for this.  Luckily the scammers are retards and use my branded images and my ad copy with my name and number in it.  Most people see that and I usually get 3-4 calls warning me about the scam.  I then click report and it goes away for good.

Jan 30, 2018 09:05 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Jeff Pearl This lady was lucky the wiring service flaged this as a scam and returned her money. She was one of the lucky ones.

Jan 30, 2018 08:59 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,502
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

They are desperate ?

Jan 30, 2018 07:35 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

The most vulnerable among us are the most vulnerable.

Life is tough when one is poor.

It is tougher if also stupid. WARNING: if you click prepare to laugh.

I use CL. I also placard all vacant homes I list with signs advising

"If you are not in direct communication with Annette Lawrence, 727. 420. 4041 you are very likely going to become a victim of fraud."

The warning is posted at every approach including the back door.

My job is done.

Jan 30, 2018 06:49 AM
Rainmaker
7,834,939
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Consumers need to be very careful.

Jan 30, 2018 06:25 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Thank you.

Jan 30, 2018 05:24 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I have never used Craig's list... there have always been too many scammers there....

Jan 30, 2018 05:14 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Carol Williams  nailed this one!

Jan 30, 2018 05:12 AM
Rainmaker
982,239
Mike Frazier
Carousel Realty of Dyer County - Dyersburg, TN
Northwest Tennessee Realtor

I prefer to stay off Craigs list. I never had any success when I did use it and always heard horror stories.

Feb 28, 2018 03:03 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,372
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I am still amazed those scams are still working Jeff!  

Feb 01, 2018 08:36 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

The old saying about a sucker being born every minute is still true.

Jan 31, 2018 05:09 AM