OMG! I almost got scammed too until I forwarded the emails to my sister. She found this great forum for me. In any case to my situation. Two days ago I found an ad on craigslist sayin a 2 BR apt. for $1200 were available in Downtown W54th st. (I actually thought that would be Midtown-west). I contact the person and I had a funny feeling since the person didn't answer any of myquestions regarding the payments. I went back to google to find the ad but ig got flagged. ThenI went to rent.com to find a listing with the address and yes the address and listing exist but the prices starting at like $3000. Here are the emails; I put stars were my name was.
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:56:25 -0700
From:
brendasawyer51@gmail.comTo: ***
Subject: Re: $1200 / 2br - Downtown Location - West 54th Street (New York)
Hello,
This is a safe transaction and your money are protected by rent.com.You will pay only your first month rent, you will have ten days inspection period and if you will not be satisfied with the apartment you will be refunded in the same day.You must send me your shipping address and full name so i can inform rent.com.You will receive an invoice from rent.com with all details.
Let me know,
Brenda
On Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 11:40 AM, *** wrote:
Hey Brenda,
that sounds all wonderfull. Although I have a few more questions. Who will guarantee me that I'll receive my money back in case I decide not to take the apt.? Do I get something like a receipt? Is it one months rent and one months security I would deposit to rent.com? Is there any chance I could view the apt. before depositing my money? Also is there a chance you could send me the link from your listing on rent.com so I can make sure it really exist at rent.com. I'm sorry for my concern, but it is alot of money and I want to make sure it gets in the right hands. I'm really interested in your apartment but I want to make sure that this is no spam.
Looking forward hearing from you.
Regards,
***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 03:47:31 -0700
From:
brendasawyer51@gmail.comTo: ***
Subject: Re: $1200 / 2br - Downtown Location - West 54th Street (New York)
Hello,
You will receive the contract signed on your name for one year and we can renew it for another one (i will stay here for two years).You will pay your rent monthly, I will pay all the fees to the rent.com. If we decide to proceed with this transaction, I will have to contact Rent.com and provide them all the necessary information, so they can start the process right away. I will need your full name and address for that. You will receive a notification from Rent.com shortly after that, together with all the instructions to follow and the invoice as well.
Regarding the payment, you will be instructed to deposit the money to a Rent.com account. They will hold and insure your money until you check the apartment and decide if you want take it or not. That is how their buyer protection policy works. As far as my concerns, I will be glad to know that Rent.com has the possession of the money during the delivery period. That is my insurance.
As soon as the funds have been deposited into their account, they will immediately start the shipping process. The keys and rental contract will be delivered at your address in no more than 3 working days. You will be given a ten days inspection period from the day you receive the keys and contract at home. If you decide to hold the apartment, then you will have to authorize Rent.com to release the funds to me, and the transaction will be completed. If you will not be satisfied with the apartment, you will be able to send the keys and contract back through the same service and ask Rent.com to return the funds to you.
Though I am sure you will love the apartment, it is good to know that you do have this second option available. If you wish to proceed with renting the apartment, please provide me your full name and address so I can initiate the deal through Rent.com right away.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Brenda
On Tue, Oct 14, 2008 at 7:48 PM, *** wrote:
Hey there,
thank you for your quick response. Is it only temporary, meaning you only subleting it till you come back to the United States? Or is it permanent? A little bit more about myself. I am 23 years old, employed, very responsible, always paying my bills on time. Clean and organized. Currently living in Harlem but looking for something bigger. Yes, is there a chance I can make an appointment to view the apartment? Also how does everything work with rent.com? Do I have to pay them a fee for their service?
Hope to hear back from you soon.
Regards,
***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:28:45 -0700
From:
brendasawyer51@gmail.comTo: ***
Subject: Re: $1200 / 2br - Downtown Location - West 54th Street (New York)
Hello,
The apartment is available and it's located at 161 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019, with two bedrooms, one living room, two bathrooms and one kitchen, square feet 1132. I really want to find a good and responsible tenant for it and i was hoping if you can send me some personal informations about yourself. The monthly rent of $1,200 will include all utilities such as water, electricity, Internet, cable, parking etc. The only problem is that i had to move with my job to United Kingdom, London where i am now and i left the keys and contract already signed by me at a company called rent.com and they will handle the payment and delivery for us. If you want to know more about how this deal can work please get back to me ASAP and i will send you the details step by step.Thank you and hope to hear back from you.
Regards,
Brenda