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Don't Rent this House

(@Rivets)
Posts: 79
Trusted Member
Topic starter
 

Someone has hijacked one of my craigslist ads, and has my house for rent at a low price. Just don't want anyone to lose money dealing with this person.
Here is ad:
http://virgin.craigslist.org/apa/2016257215.html
I've tried to flag it, or have it removed, but no luck so far. Maybe if more people flag it, it will be deleted.
Thanks,
Geoff

 
Posted : October 22, 2010 11:43 pm
meowruff
(@meowruff)
Posts: 347
Reputable Member
 

I saw it, and knew immediately that it was a scam. I reported it right away!

 
Posted : October 23, 2010 1:12 am
(@Sauceress)
Posts: 497
Reputable Member
 

its been removed

 
Posted : October 23, 2010 4:53 am
(@jbaer22432)
Posts: 12
Active Member
 

hahaa...yeh that rent was too good to be true. I emailed him just to see what he'd say and his response was that he and his wife were moving to Africa but that I could just wire him the money :)..."duuurp", ok dude sounds legit to me...lol

 
Posted : October 23, 2010 3:56 pm
(@islandlola)
Posts: 695
Noble Member
 

Wow, Geoff, sorry this occurred There have been more and more scam ads this season offering rentals on craigslist (there are, for instance, a few ads on there now that I suspect of being scams.). The Virgin Islands market used to be more targeted by scam renters (they are still out there, too.) I ran into a scam landlord last year when I was looking for a short term apartment in New York; these scammers seem to specialize in posting ads in markets where the rents are relatively high and where, consequently, ads for low-priced rentals will likely get lots of inquiries.

May I ask, did someone take over your craigslist ad somehow, or, did they get hold of photos and post their own ad?

I have had problems with people who asked for additional photos for my rentals under circumstances that seemed fishy. One person complained, for example, when I put a small watermark across the photos to prevent easy re-use. The photos were still perfectly viewable; I had to wonder why they needed photos without the mark. I simply don't directly provide photos beyond the ad any longer because of such issues. I ask that people come in to look at the property to form their impressions. If the person is off island, I discourage him or her from making a decision sight unseen unless the circumstances are pretty narrow (such as a short term rental where neither of us has to feel "stuck" for very long if it somehow doesn't suit, or if it's someone I've dealt with before in another capacity and so we have a basis for trust.)

Best,

Islandlola

 
Posted : October 23, 2010 4:15 pm
(@Rivets)
Posts: 79
Trusted Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks everyone who helped me get it removed. I have an ad on craigslist and on zillow, that contained those photos, so they must have downloaded pics from one of those. And thanks for the advice about people asking for additional photos. I had never thought of that.

 
Posted : October 23, 2010 11:43 pm
(@nforbes)
Posts: 580
Honorable Member
 

i always know that when the apt. offers heat, something's up.

 
Posted : October 25, 2010 2:02 pm
(@teachstx)
Posts: 14
Active Member
 

Here's that guy who's trying to rent your house, I inquired about information and got quick responses and an application.
"smith martins" is his name and here is his apparent e-mail.... distrgdsm@gmail.com

Well on the plus side if you ever decide to rent your house, he'll have an extensive list of "qualifying" individuals and several down payments for you!

 
Posted : October 25, 2010 2:30 pm
(@beachy)
Posts: 631
Honorable Member
 

saw another fake stx ad on there yesterday, offering not only heat but also a crawl space....different way of looking at a cistern for sure!

 
Posted : October 25, 2010 4:33 pm
(@Sillygerman)
Posts: 1
New Member
 

Hello,

I actually got in contact with this person and send the required rent never got the key or anything can anybody help in getting my money back please?

 
Posted : February 25, 2011 10:23 pm
(@divegirl1)
Posts: 55
Trusted Member
 

I hope you are joking!

 
Posted : February 27, 2011 7:42 pm
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