I advertised an apartment for rent on Craig’s List and lo and behold I had a reply from a party that wishes to rent the apartment even though I replied that it had already been rented. They have to be in by Feb. 15 and even though they have not even seen pictures of the apartment, seen a lease agreement, etc. want to have it. They needed to know how much money to send me to secure the apartment.
I replied that I would have to remove the current tenant and that would amount to $900,plus 1st and last month’s rent $1200, deposit$600, utility deposit $300, garage deposit $300 for a total due immediately of $3300.
Well today I received my reply – the check is in the mail. However some idiot included the future tenant’s travel grant with the money being sent to me – can you believe it?
I suppose I will have to send that back to her. So should I send cash, personal check or cashier’s check – what to do?
I just hope this all works out as she says she is sure we will have a good relationship.
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Send her back a plastic bag with a dog turd in it. Old scam.
"I wonder if Heaven got a Ghetto." Tupac
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChIdFwQwoYM&feature=related
Would you like to have the 5 prospective tenants like that that I had. I kick myself everytime I passed up such a great deal!! :)
Tell her that although your current place is rented, you do have an opening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington DC. Thats where I tell them to send the check.
Be very careful, it could be a scam. Their check is probably not worth the paper it's written on. It's been in the news up here in Toronto. Banks are required by law to release the money within a reasonable time (I think it's 14 days) however it actually takes longer to clear/verify the check so if there are insufficent funds, you're responsible if funds have been forwarded to your account.
They overpay the deposit so they can ask you to send them the balance--do not send it via wire transer, you'll never get the money back. Another wrinkle, instead of overpayment, they cancel at the last minute with some excuse. As compensation, they offer to let you keep one month's rent but please return the balance.
Edited 2/9/2008 11:05 am ET by justjj
They try this scam alot when you're trying to sell stuff too. They'll send you extra so you can forward it to their local shipper, of course their check is fake. Out of the country alot of the time. Hope you didn't get burned. The law doesn't seem to care.
Is anyone fluent in sarcasm?
Barry E-Remodeler
I am well aware that this is a scam - just trying to have a bit of fun.I sure would like some creative ideas on how to turn the tables on this crook.
I think it would be fun to string her along for a bit and then put the screws to her if possible.
If I could get her to give me an account number to directly deposit into could I get the authorities involved?Let's have those suggestions.
If you have a lot of time and a wicked sense of humor & retribution...
These guys are brilliant, they reverst the scam: http://www.scambuster419.co.uk/
That's a pretty good website. I liked this one.
http://www.scambuster419.co.uk/mpptiii.htm#mp7
"I wonder if Heaven got a Ghetto." Tupac
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChIdFwQwoYM&feature=related
I still like my original idea.
"I wonder if Heaven got a Ghetto." Tupac
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChIdFwQwoYM&feature=related