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Rent Reporters
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Rent Reporters RentReporters.com Rental scam: If it seems to good to be true it usually is nationwide
Luckily we ran accross the report #1001251 on Ripoff Report.com through a google search of Rent Reporters.com before going any further. Thank you to Rich from Chicago! It was almost verbatim the same thing.
Just like Rich, I found multiple positngs on different rental sites for an amazing property and an unusually low price. I was very skeptical but knew it wouldnt hurt to inquire. I was emailed by the person listed as the property owner on some of the sites named Tyler Kindger. The first email he sent was confirming the details of the listing and then after that, he went on to include personal information about himself discussing his out of country travel for work and statements about respecting hard work and other peoples money - I suppose it was trying to lay the foundation for why it was so cheap but sending a personal bio on a first email to a stranger struck me as odd. He also included that he worked at MWH Global Engineering and the weirdest part - all utilities (electric and cable etc) are covered in the cost. How it even possible to cover electicity? The closing line of the email was saying " I think this is right for both of us" also very iffy.
I should have stopped right there but I wanted to get to the bottom of it so I responded to the email with my phone number and asked him to call at his convenience because I had some questions. Instead of calling he emailed me again, with what seemed a bit like a cut and paste explanation of how to handle the rental transaction through RentReporters.com. This time he included a personal number (overseas). I tried to call the number but for some reason could not place the call from my phone. I emailed again saying that I am trying to call but it isnt working, can he please call me? He again responded with an email. This time with a more indepth cut and paste step by step instruction for using RentReporters.com and said if I gave him my phone number he would call. My next email was not exactly chipper as he was not answering my questions and was not calling me so I said I had specific questions and wanted to talk person to person.
Finally he called. From the number listed (UK) it would have been 11pm his time so I was a bit surprised. His mannerisms were very strange at first - not the best phone skills (would have expecgted a lot more for an international business person) and his accent was quite heavy to where it was a bit hard to understand. I asked him directly why it was listed for so far below market rate and he said that it was his first time renting it and just wanted someone trustworthy. He also mentioned something about the rental market and properties not moving.... somewhat understandable. The emails were clear but his command of English was not on the phone so it struck me as odd that someone would have that big of a discrepancy in being able to type and speak a language.
He also never mentioned the unit number for the building and said that any small maintenance would be handled by the building and that we would not have to be approved by the condo board. I contacted the property and they said that you do in fact have to be approved. They could confirm a unit number but not an owner name if we have one.
The most interesting thing in the email about RentReporters was that after the deposit of the first and security, we have 5 days to inspect the property. If we do not want it we would receive a full refund in cash by an agent in person - now why would they give you cash for a credit or money order transaction? and why could they go to you to give you cash and not actually let you into the apartment themselves acting as a property manager?
This listing was in Jacksonville FL but I would not be surprised if this is a nationwide scam and they just research the most expensive places in major cities and set up scams.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Anon
Freeport,Texas,
Example of email from this scammer
#2Consumer Comment
Mon, November 11, 2013
I encountered this same scam. After seeing a different price in his first reply than what was on the Craigslist site, I got suspicious. I asked him for the apartment number (he had previously just given the street address of the highrise). This was (verbatim) his reply (which completely ignored my question):
You only have to deposit to RentReporters company a deposit of 950USD so they can proceed with the shipping, and you can receive the rental package (the keys and the documents). I will pay for a 3-4days delivery time so you will receive the keys and the contract signed by me right away. I will explain you step by step how this process will work:1 - To start the process all I need is your full shipping info (full name, address and your phone number).2 - I will go to the RentReporters Safe Exchange office to deposit the keys and the contract on your name as the intended receiver.3 - RentReporters Safe Exchange will check the package to see if everything is in order and also the legal papers that will come along with the keys and proof of ownership with their Real Estate Professional Department in London. They will also confirm with the building manager that I'm the legal owner of the apartment I'm renting to you.4 - RentReporters Safe Exchange will send you a delivery notification to let you know they have the keys and the papers in their custody. They will also send you all the payment instructions to complete the rental transaction.5 - You must send a money deposit on the RentReporters Safe Exchange Agent Name for the amount we agreed (for the first month of rent & damage deposit). The payment needs to be sent within 24 hours after you receive the transaction details or else they will charge me an additional fee.6 - After you make the deposit you must send the payment details to RentReporters Safe Exchange.7 - RentReporters Safe Exchange will verify the money transfer and if everything is in order they will start the shipping procedures using UPS or TNT Next Day Shipping Service.8 - After you receive the package, you must go to check the apartment and in 5 days (inspection time) you must contact RentReporters Safe Exchange to inform them if you keep the apt or not. If everything is in order RentReporters will forward the funds to me. If you don`t want to keep the apartment you will receive a full refund in the final inspection time in cash from the agent who will come to your place to sign the rental contract.Please note that RentReporters Safe Exchange will not release the funds to me without your approval.Let me know if you have the funds available (950USD) so we can move forward and e-mail me your details (full name, address, phone #).For any questions regarding the transaction you can contact me or send me your phone number and I will call you.Regards
The rental amount he used above is yet a DIFFERENT number than his previous email, and different from what is in the Craigslist ad.
Hmm
Vancouver,British Columbia,
Sounds like a Nigerian scam
#3Consumer Comment
Sun, November 10, 2013
I also saw the EXACT same email (different names) after I contacted the person over their Craigslist Ad.
Judging by the usage of broken English by this person, it seems quiet possible that he/she might be a Nigerian scam artist.
If it's too good to be true, well it probably is!
RentReporters Staff
Pasadena,California,
Response to Fraud Claims
#4UPDATE Employee ..inside information
Wed, August 21, 2013
To anyone with similar situations who have been defrauded:
RentReporters.com does not handle any rental property transactions. We do not accept rental deposits nor perform key transfers. Our business gathers and verifies rental information and uploads that data to the credit bureaus.
We are not affiliated with anyone living or operating in the United Kingdom or in this type of business. The person using our company name is attempting to defraud you of your time and money.
We forwarded other instances by consumers with your same concerns from outside the United States to the Barclay's Bank and hosting companies that could have some involvement. We have sent full details on account numbers and addresses and any other pertinent information.
There is no further action we can take since we are not a victim or witness in any of these instances, and we only operated within the United States. We have referred others to take action within the jurisdiction of their home countries and local police.
Like you, we wish others not to fall into any type of deception. This individual has been running the same scam for over a year, and we have exhausted all efforts to put him out of business.
If you have been taken advantage of by this individual, immediately contact your local authorities and file a complaint.
Thank you,
Alex Brown
Director of Operations
RentReporters.com
