How to detect and avoid fraud on Craigslist
Dec 14th 2013, 5:02 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2013
Location: New Westminster, BC
Posts: 68
How to detect and avoid fraud on Craigslist
We are currently looking for accommodation in Burnaby, BC for mid Jan when we hopefully arrive.
I have just had a reply to an inquiry that is just ringing alarm bells. The offer seems very good and in the range of what we are looking for. I can't quite put my finger on what it is exactly but between the wording and the details included in the message are ringing alarm bells.
It is really tough to weed the legitimate from the crooks when trying to arrange accommodation from 11000km away!
Any suggestions or experiences?
I have just had a reply to an inquiry that is just ringing alarm bells. The offer seems very good and in the range of what we are looking for. I can't quite put my finger on what it is exactly but between the wording and the details included in the message are ringing alarm bells.
It is really tough to weed the legitimate from the crooks when trying to arrange accommodation from 11000km away!
Any suggestions or experiences?
Dec 14th 2013, 5:31 pm
#2
Weegie in Calgary
Joined: Dec 2012
Location: Calgary
Posts: 810
Re: How to detect and avoid fraud on Craigslist
We are currently looking for accommodation in Burnaby, BC for mid Jan when we hopefully arrive.
I have just had a reply to an inquiry that is just ringing alarm bells. The offer seems very good and in the range of what we are looking for. I can't quite put my finger on what it is exactly but between the wording and the details included in the message are ringing alarm bells.
It is really tough to weed the legitimate from the crooks when trying to arrange accommodation from 11000km away!
Any suggestions or experiences?
I have just had a reply to an inquiry that is just ringing alarm bells. The offer seems very good and in the range of what we are looking for. I can't quite put my finger on what it is exactly but between the wording and the details included in the message are ringing alarm bells.
It is really tough to weed the legitimate from the crooks when trying to arrange accommodation from 11000km away!
Any suggestions or experiences?
Dec 14th 2013, 7:06 pm
#3
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,820
Re: How to detect and avoid fraud on Craigslist
Beware of adverts for Bridge for sale. 
More seriously, those parts that are ringing alarm bells, try googling them. The phrases used I mean.
If it is dodgy, you may find that someone has posted concerns or real experiences as a warning to others.
More seriously, those parts that are ringing alarm bells, try googling them. The phrases used I mean.
If it is dodgy, you may find that someone has posted concerns or real experiences as a warning to others.
Dec 14th 2013, 7:07 pm
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Orton, Ontario
Posts: 2,032
Re: How to detect and avoid fraud on Craigslist
We are currently looking for accommodation in Burnaby, BC for mid Jan when we hopefully arrive.
I have just had a reply to an inquiry that is just ringing alarm bells. The offer seems very good and in the range of what we are looking for. I can't quite put my finger on what it is exactly but between the wording and the details included in the message are ringing alarm bells.
It is really tough to weed the legitimate from the crooks when trying to arrange accommodation from 11000km away!
Any suggestions or experiences?
I have just had a reply to an inquiry that is just ringing alarm bells. The offer seems very good and in the range of what we are looking for. I can't quite put my finger on what it is exactly but between the wording and the details included in the message are ringing alarm bells.
It is really tough to weed the legitimate from the crooks when trying to arrange accommodation from 11000km away!
Any suggestions or experiences?
Dec 14th 2013, 9:42 pm
#5
Sawdust making harpy
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Alberta
Posts: 11,291
Re: How to detect and avoid fraud on Craigslist
ooooh post the response so we can see (obvously you can leave out personal details!!!!)
Dec 14th 2013, 10:49 pm
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Kingston ON
Posts: 318
Re: How to detect and avoid fraud on Craigslist
For $800 we took a risk on a property - Sent the person $800 by bank transfer I think it was might have been western union...... You are moving continents - if you only loose $1000 or so then you are doing well.
Having said that - Maybe someone on here might live local to where you are looking for and give you more direct contacts of "real" people.....
Good luck with minimizing the risks
Having said that - Maybe someone on here might live local to where you are looking for and give you more direct contacts of "real" people.....
Good luck with minimizing the risks
Dec 14th 2013, 11:45 pm
#7
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: How to detect and avoid fraud on Craigslist
Maybe try a realtor
http://www.bbb.org/mbc/accredited-bu...ice/burnaby-bc
http://www.bbb.org/mbc/accredited-bu...ice/burnaby-bc
Dec 15th 2013, 12:17 am
#8
slanderer of the innocent
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 6,695
Re: How to detect and avoid fraud on Craigslist
post the link. I live in Burnaby and am landlord - might be able to help you tell if it's legit or not.
Dec 15th 2013, 12:21 am
#9
slanderer of the innocent
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 6,695
Re: How to detect and avoid fraud on Craigslist
and post response too! We can't help if we can see what was said!
Dec 15th 2013, 12:49 am
#10
slanderer of the innocent
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 6,695
Re: How to detect and avoid fraud on Craigslist
Maybe try a realtor
http://www.bbb.org/mbc/accredited-bu...ice/burnaby-bc
http://www.bbb.org/mbc/accredited-bu...ice/burnaby-bc
Dec 15th 2013, 3:06 am
#11
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: How to detect and avoid fraud on Craigslist
A lot of those are development companies or property managers. Professionally run buildings are the safest bet but the OP will be seriously restricting his/her choices because many Bby properties are owned/leased by small landlords, in people's homes, condos they own etc and those companies won't be able to help with that market at all.
Dec 15th 2013, 3:28 am
#12
Binned by Muderators
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 11,682
Re: How to detect and avoid fraud on Craigslist
Anyone that wants you to send a deposit by some untraceable method like Western Union is a scammer. Run.
Dec 15th 2013, 4:06 am
#13
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2013
Location: New Westminster, BC
Posts: 68
Re: How to detect and avoid fraud on Craigslist
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: (removed)
Date: Saturday, December 14, 2013
Subject: 3 Bedroom Townhouse - South Burnaby
To: (removed)
Thanks for getting back to my email. the property is still available for rent and Its due to my transfer that makes me my wife and daughter to leave the home to Chicago IL, United State. and also want to give it out for rent and looking for a responsible tenant that can take very good care of the property because we will be here for 3 years but the property is available for both long and short term lease. We are not after the money for the rent but want it to be clean at all time and the person that will rent it to take it as if it were its own.. My Computer Connected with Internet Access. The rent include with All Utilities and parking space Also the keys and document to the property are right here with us, Which we can send to you after all necessary agreement has be accepted.
Some rentals contact us but we declined them from renting our place as it show in there message that they will not be capable renting and taking care of the property.
Kindly get back to me and i can email you with the rent application so that we can proceed.
Address: (removed)
Regards
- he made contact a day after the ad was removed from CL
- the wording feels like a scam e-mail if that makes any sense, not sure if I'm just being too harsh??
- different font sizes were used in the e-mail, like it had been cut and pasted
I will check out the links given and see if it has been posted there
We are arriving with our 2 cats so our motel options are limited but we do have 1 in mind as a back up that indicates it is pet friendly. We were looking for a furnished short term rental, had one that looked good via airbnb but the owner has stopped replying to e-mails so I assume it is no longer available. We couldn't confirm at that time as the LMO was not thorough yet.
Dec 15th 2013, 7:13 am
#14
half a century
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Sarf Lundun to East Van :)
Posts: 10,222
Re: How to detect and avoid fraud on Craigslist
This is the e-mail I received, the things that concern me
- he made contact a day after the ad was removed from CL
- the wording feels like a scam e-mail if that makes any sense, not sure if I'm just being too harsh??
- different font sizes were used in the e-mail, like it had been cut and pasted
I will check out the links given and see if it has been posted there
We are arriving with our 2 cats so our motel options are limited but we do have 1 in mind as a back up that indicates it is pet friendly. We were looking for a furnished short term rental, had one that looked good via airbnb but the owner has stopped replying to e-mails so I assume it is no longer available. We couldn't confirm at that time as the LMO was not thorough yet.
- he made contact a day after the ad was removed from CL
- the wording feels like a scam e-mail if that makes any sense, not sure if I'm just being too harsh??
- different font sizes were used in the e-mail, like it had been cut and pasted
I will check out the links given and see if it has been posted there
We are arriving with our 2 cats so our motel options are limited but we do have 1 in mind as a back up that indicates it is pet friendly. We were looking for a furnished short term rental, had one that looked good via airbnb but the owner has stopped replying to e-mails so I assume it is no longer available. We couldn't confirm at that time as the LMO was not thorough yet.
Dec 15th 2013, 7:15 am
#15
half a century
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Sarf Lundun to East Van :)
Posts: 10,222
Re: How to detect and avoid fraud on Craigslist
If you are still not convinced let them know that me or Kiwi can meet them at the property some time next week to view it for you !