Scam Type
Rental Scam
Business Name Used
Unavailable
Date Reported
July 01, 2023
Postal Code
05051
Total Dollars Lost
$ 0
Scam Description
The scammer Judy Goff posted an ad for an apartment on Craigslist. After some brief followup questions (Name, Credit Score, etc), they claimed ‘my application is approved’, and then went on to say that if I wanted to ‘hold’ the apartment, I would need to pay a deposit plus the first month of rent – BEFORE a lease was signed or a walkthrough done. I did not pursue or contact them after this point, because given the verbage of the email (misspellings, bad grammar, etc), it felt pretty clearly a scam. The email I’ve copied below:
“Thanks for getting back to me
Your application is approved, and I’m satisfied with your provided details, please respect that the unit is for rent and is not available for immediate viewing until July 26th as the unit is currently occupied by a Realtor Agent and his 6 years old daughters and with a painful exit, (his wife recently passed away during Childbirth) and will be moving out on 24th of July, requested for complete privacy which I granted as will also be granted to you when you become the new tenant if you need any privacy also. You can come to view the unit in person or send a representative when it’s fully available and I will notify you at that time.
but if the timing works and you do not want to miss out on this property then you can have the property reserved for you until you view/move in with the payment of both the first month’s rent and the refundable security deposit required to take the property off the market. This fee is used to hold the property for you until you move in. Once your reservation fee and signed reservation lease form are received the property will be removed from the rental market and secured in your name. You will also be filling out the lease contract form. note the property will be secured and must be available for you before your arrival and your rent will start counting from your move-in date as instructed by the management.
Note: In the event, you decide to not move into the property, for any reason, this fee is also refundable as stated in the lease agreement form which will be sent to you to sign. Also, an attorney will be made available during your walk-through to confirm your full refund and to avoid any complications or anything that will bridge the agreement signed in the lease agreement form or you can come with your legal advice if you want.
Let me know if you wish to proceed with your down payment (reservation deposit) before the lease agreement form and reservation details for booking (Landlord’s details) can be sent to you.
Thanks again and please keep me posted”
