Housing Scam Online Could Have Cost Lubbock Woman More Than $1,000
By: Monica Yantosh
Updated: December 6, 2012
With tons of housing options to look through when it comes to looking online, one woman turned to Craigslist to try to look at rental properties easily.
Beverly Rodriguez said she saw an ad for exactly the home she wanted for her and her two children: a 3 bed/2 bath, in a good neighborhood.
"Looked it up online, it looked beautiful, big house, brick, two car garage, I'm like $650, all bills paid, what's the catch?" said Rodriguez.
It was also listed at a fraction of the cost of what she thought she would have to pay.
She filled out the questionnaire online and sent it back to who she thought was the property owner. Rodriguez said she did that since he wasn't asking for any information that could lead to her identity being stolen.
"They didn't get anything really personal, so that's why I went ahead and filled it out, because I didn't have to worry about them raiding my already depleted bank account," said Rodriguez.
Once she was approved for the home, the owner, who told Rodriguez he was a pediatrician stationed in West Africa, kept asking her how soon she could send the money.
"I got back a response in about 20 minutes saying 'yeah, you're the kind of person we want, when can you send us money?'" said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez felt that lead to two red flags, because he couldn't meet with her in person, and he wanted her to send money overseas.
"I had heard before that people had gotten scammed, and you know they always had that little disclaimer 'don't send money overseas' so as soon as he said Africa, I said 'I'm not doing it,'" said Rodriguez.
These real estate scams start with homes that are actually up for rent. Then, scammers steal the photos and descriptions and post them online as their own.
Rodriguez said she hopes by sharing what almost happened to her, she can make sure no one else falls for a similar scam.
"Don't be weak about it, especially where your money is concerned, and your children, be careful, you know ask a lot of questions, and if it doesn't feel right, run," said Rodriguez.
Click here for a link to more tips to avoid online housing scams.
Beverly Rodriguez said she saw an ad for exactly the home she wanted for her and her two children: a 3 bed/2 bath, in a good neighborhood.
"Looked it up online, it looked beautiful, big house, brick, two car garage, I'm like $650, all bills paid, what's the catch?" said Rodriguez.
It was also listed at a fraction of the cost of what she thought she would have to pay.
She filled out the questionnaire online and sent it back to who she thought was the property owner. Rodriguez said she did that since he wasn't asking for any information that could lead to her identity being stolen.
"They didn't get anything really personal, so that's why I went ahead and filled it out, because I didn't have to worry about them raiding my already depleted bank account," said Rodriguez.
Once she was approved for the home, the owner, who told Rodriguez he was a pediatrician stationed in West Africa, kept asking her how soon she could send the money.
"I got back a response in about 20 minutes saying 'yeah, you're the kind of person we want, when can you send us money?'" said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez felt that lead to two red flags, because he couldn't meet with her in person, and he wanted her to send money overseas.
"I had heard before that people had gotten scammed, and you know they always had that little disclaimer 'don't send money overseas' so as soon as he said Africa, I said 'I'm not doing it,'" said Rodriguez.
These real estate scams start with homes that are actually up for rent. Then, scammers steal the photos and descriptions and post them online as their own.
Rodriguez said she hopes by sharing what almost happened to her, she can make sure no one else falls for a similar scam.
"Don't be weak about it, especially where your money is concerned, and your children, be careful, you know ask a lot of questions, and if it doesn't feel right, run," said Rodriguez.
Click here for a link to more tips to avoid online housing scams.
