Strange Story

[Rerun]

As many of you know, I left my home in Sacramento when my transplant failed to move closer to family in Spokane.  I had my house rented out and they just moved out to buy their own home.  I have a property manager now in Sacramento who advertised my house on Craig's List.  We have a new renter taking occupancy on September 7. 

My neighbor just emailed me and told me that a couple just knocked on his door asking about my house.  He said there was an ad on Craig's List and the owner lived in South Africa and if they sent him $600 he would send them the keys.

At first my heart stopped and I just wanted to get on the next plane to go protect my property.  But, I talked to my property manager and he said this happens all the time. Someone goes on Craig's List and they can tell a Property Manager's ad and they steal the pictures and place an ad of their own. Anyone stupid enough to send money to South Africa without any evidence that the house is his, is pretty stupid.  My property manager assured me that the people who lost money cannot come back on me.  Craig's List has warnings on this type of scam.

I still insisted that the locks be changes asap.

If this is a scam for Lock Smith's to make more money then I bit.

                                 

[marti824]

the same thing happened to a friend of mine.  who ever grabbed the listing, got it from the MLS, and advertised the house for rent on Craig's list.  he got three different people to send him money.  they only found out about it when one of the potential renters was walking around the property looking in the windows.

[dwcrawford]

This is unbelievable the lengths people take to rob innocent people of their money.  I've seen reports like this on TV.  So maybe nothing will happen to you (other than having to change the locks -- a good ideas anyhow) but it has to give you an eerie feeling.

[paris]

When my daughter and husband were looking at houses a few months ago, they found an incredible one.  It was the same scam.  The owners had just been transferred to South Africa.  Send money and the house could be theirs.  With all the work they put into these scams, they could be working at a real job!

[Jean]

I agree Paris. But for some people, I guess the thrill of cheating others is what keeps them going.

[twirl]

Rerun that is strange and I am sorry about all of it-

[willieandwinnie]

Rerun, there was a story on local news about it happening in the DC area too. Some homeowner actually found her own house listed on Craig's List. What some people will do just amazes me.  Glad your house is safe and you too. 

[okarol]

 
Jeeez!