Bessie Ferrell Placed an ad for a condo in Palo Alto CA. I enquired by email and received an email back with a link to a website and a request for me to get a "free credit report" so that they could verify my id, Internet
I responded to an ad on Craigslist to rent a condo in Palo Alto, CA. Received the following email, asking me to go to a free credit report website and print my credit report to bring to the showing. It was obviously a scam intending to steal my social security number. There is another instance of this on Ripoffreport.com- different name, same email.
Hello Jeff,
Good news, the rental is still available! (you also get a 1-car garage...I forgot to list that in the ad) We had an offer from the first person we showed it to, but now it appears that they are changing their mind, so we need to start showing it again as soon as possible. You were the second one to email me about it.
It is the whole place that is for rent, and it's in pristine condition. We know a lot of prospective renters want to do a quick look of the property, but my husband doesn't want me to mass send out the address as a measure of safety. Last time we did that without verifying people, the empty property was broken into and vandalized. We don't want that to happen again! I CAN tell you that it's a very special property, that would normally rent for quite a bit more than other comparable properties in the neighborhood.
For utilities, your electric, gas, water, sewer and trash will be covered. (Included in the rent) You will be responsible for cable, internet, and phone, if you decide to have these services. Just to confirm, we DO allow pets at this property.
The rental term is 12-month lease, but can be switched into a 6-month lease if preferred. We just ask that you give us fair notice if you are moving out.
If you would like to set up an appointment, go to the link below and request the free copy of your rental / credit report. We use this company for all the properties we manage. Just fill out the form and indicate that you want the free credit report. The actual scores on the report aren't important to us, it's more of a formality to have it on file, to make sure you are who you say you are.
Get your report here: http://credit-forget-it.com/0PWCpoD/
Remember, we only need to see the page about the rental history. That will be all you will need to bring with you to the showing.
As far as getting together to see the property goes, I am available to show it any time from 10:00 am on, for the next couple of days. Let me know when you've printed out your credit report, and we will set up a time to do your walk-through.
Thank you once again for your interest!
Bessie Ferrell