Craigslist Vacation Rentals Scams - One That Got Away
Just to share my experience, I went on Craigslist to look for vacation rental homes for my upcoming US holiday in New York and Washington.
I followed up on a couple of homes that I thought would be suitable for me (I'm travelling alone) and emailed the providers.
Within the hour, a couple of them wrote back. A sample of the template reply by this Jane Synovec, whose apartment really caught my eye:
She wrote back after I replied to her asking if I can make payment by credit card or meeting in person as I was really uncomfortable using Western Union.
This was her reply:
I sternly replied that I had already mentioned I will deal only credit card and payment in person. To which she replied:
After this, something dawned in me that something was going terribly wrong. Perhaps its due to her less-than-perfect grammer and lack of a professional response. Or perhaps my sixth sense helped.
I googled her name Jane Synovec and there were some websites depicting scams by a person of that name on Craigslist!
And I googled the names and email addresses of the other providers who wrote back to me and voila, they were on the scammers' list as well!
It appears that people in New York City are so desperate for affordable housing that these scammers are able to take advantage of them.
So I saved myself a good couple of hundred dollars and earned myself a good lesson never to touch Craigslist. I thought I would post it here to warn others of such scams. Be warned!
- If it is too good to be true, it probably is.
- Don't go through Western Union, MoneyGram or other wire service. Always prefer to deal in person! Credit cards are also a good idea.
- Even PayPal may not be safe!
I would love to think up a plot to annoy these people like this guy does but I just don't have the time.
Please spread the word around!
I followed up on a couple of homes that I thought would be suitable for me (I'm travelling alone) and emailed the providers.
Within the hour, a couple of them wrote back. A sample of the template reply by this Jane Synovec, whose apartment really caught my eye:
|
Hello, Address: 57 W 58th St New York , NY 10019 Located in center of attractions, with separate large bedroom, kitchen, High ceilings , tiled floors, (with dishwasher,disposal, compactor, fridge and ice maker, etc.). Double paned new windows surrounding living room on 3 sides. Artist handmade and tiled archways and wall panels. arrangement for luggage during and after check out to keep them safe,tiled floor,recessed lights,and Fully-equipped laundry facility. The property is much available for the dates you have chosen (5nights),the price is $65/night;$325 for your total stay,to hold your dates of your rent is required ($162.5) + security deposit of $200= $362.5,so all you need pay to secure your date is $362.5.The security deposit($200) is fully refundable on your departure assuming no damage is done to the property rented to you.... Thanks for your interest in my place. Jane |
This was her reply:
| You will need to transfer the deposit via Western Union but i will forward you an agreement and booking form to fill the form and return it with payment, you will meet me on your arrival face to face so that i can give you the keys of the apartment and show you around.Once i hear from you i will forward you the agreement and booking form. |
| Ok i will send you a pay pal account for you to transfer the deposit to. |
I googled her name Jane Synovec and there were some websites depicting scams by a person of that name on Craigslist!
And I googled the names and email addresses of the other providers who wrote back to me and voila, they were on the scammers' list as well!
It appears that people in New York City are so desperate for affordable housing that these scammers are able to take advantage of them.
So I saved myself a good couple of hundred dollars and earned myself a good lesson never to touch Craigslist. I thought I would post it here to warn others of such scams. Be warned!
- If it is too good to be true, it probably is.
- Don't go through Western Union, MoneyGram or other wire service. Always prefer to deal in person! Credit cards are also a good idea.
- Even PayPal may not be safe!
I would love to think up a plot to annoy these people like this guy does but I just don't have the time.
Please spread the word around!