Debra DeLongis Debbie DeLongis Took $1000 cash and disappeared! Mount Sinai, New York
I am the victim of a terrible scam. This woman named Debra "Debbie" DeLongis, who works as a Realtor/Consultant, posted ads on Craigslist for apartments and whole houses for rent. She took our money and ran!
I contacted her, and she showed me two homes for rent, one of which I fell in love with. The rental home was $2700/month. We told her we were 90% sure we would rent the house, but just needed to have the lease reviewed by a trusted family member first. We told her we wanted to leave a security deposit to reserve the house, but we preferred to delay signing the lease until we could have it looked over by a family member and financial planner.
Debbie informed us that we would have to pay the Realtor fee AND the security deposit in order to reserve the house. We battled over this, because it just didn't sound right. She told us it would have to be cash, but not to worry because she would give us a receipt.
We just did not feel comfortable handing over $2700 in cash until the lease was signed. Debbie cried about how she had fallen on hard times, and told us she was 4 months behind in her rent and had gotten sick last year. She told us that after having several growths removed from her neck, she was bombarded with medical bills. Debbie told us she would be forced to keep showing the apartment until she got paid her fee because she was so destitute. We did not want to lose the house, so against our better judgment, we gave her $1000 cash toward the rental fee.
We have the receipt.
After reviewing the lease, and bearing in mind the logistics of the move, we decided the location was not ideal and we would back out of the rental. We contacted Debbie and the Landlord. The Landlord gave us our security deposit check back within a few days, but Debbie has refused to give our money back. At first she said she would work out a payment plan with us, but now she avoids our phone calls altogether.
We feel hopeless and taken advantage of.
This woman works as a freelance Realtor/Consultant and shows houses on Craigslist. She also works with her husband at Design All Landscaping in Mount Sinai, NY. I wonder how many other people have been scammed by them.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
mbs
Wantagh,New York,
United States of America
A Wonderful Thief
#3Author of original report
Tue, June 05, 2012
While I think its "wonderful" that you had a positive experience with this woman, I can assure you that she TOOK a renter's fee for an apartment that she NEVER rented us, and has REFUSED to pay the money back or even return our calls.
You can defend her all you want, but her behavior in regard to our transaction was absolutely unethical and shameful.
We'll be seeing her in Small Claims Court next month. And a judge will decide. I'll be sure to update here in regard to the ruling. Then, not only will she be "outed" here, but she will have a judgment against her in New York State.
Return the money Debbie. Do the right thing.
ed
windemere,Florida,
United States of America
Debbie Delongis is a WONDERFUL PERSON!!!!
#3Consumer Comment
Tue, June 05, 2012
I had Debbie Delongis help me rent my home in St James. She was more helpful and kind then the handful of realtors i had working for me. It was a pleasure working with her. I was always in contact with her and never had a problem dealing with her. As far as I know Debbie, she doesn't do any scams or is a ripoff artist. She knows what she is doing and has a wealth of knowledge about real estate and rentals.
I would recommend her to anyone who needs someone to have an apt or house to rent. She is uch better then any reallator around. She is very honest and straightforward. She doesn't double talk or lie about anything. And for the person to bash her on here and say bad things like they did is just a horrible thing to do. She goes out of her way to help anyone. I was very happy with everything that she did for me to get my house rented so I can leave New York.