I passed by a house that really interested me and had a 4rent sign.I kept calling the number on the realty sign but it was disconnected so I left a note on the door.A few days later, a man called stating that he was with the new realty co. that took over the property and asked to meet me at the house so he can show it to me.I agreed and loved the house.He gives me his bussiness card and said that I needed to call him on his cell to reach him.Next day I forgot about that and tried to call him at the office but that # was disconnected! When I told him about this, he said it was b/c they are merging with a new co. and their # will be changing soon. He wants me to take him a check for the amount of the rent and deposit and sign up the contract but he wants me to leave it blank b/c he claims hes not sure which company name they will be using.Could this be a hoax? Something just seems fishy to me!
2007-09-03 05:17:21 · 7 answers · asked by Blue 4 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Sounds fishy to me too.
Whos to say he even has the authority to rent to you
whos to say he is not in the real estate business but found your note while he was looking for a place to rent and is trying to work a scam on you.
If i were you i would just pass on it to many disconnected numbers for me,
2007-09-03 05:28:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's a common scam. Do not send them any money. It's likely the flat doesn't even exist. Straight from Wikipedia: ":A similar scam exists on the rental model, particularly in the United Kingdom - the scammer posts an ad on a classifieds site such as Craigslist or Gumtree for an apartment or house for rent (and the rent is far below the normal market rate) with a fantastic description and pictures taken from other adverts or other websites. The victim contacts the scammer in order to secure a viewing, but is told that in order to do so they must go to a Western Union outlet, do a money transfer to a relative for the amount of the deposit and then provide a scanned receipt. Ostensibly this is to prove that the victim can afford the deposit before they view the apartment, and they'll get the money back after the viewing. But in actuality the property may or may not actually exist, and the receipt allows the scammer to collect the funds without any viewing ever taking place." Seems that with a receipt of the transfer the scammer can still access the money.
2016-05-20 02:14:49 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds strange to me. I would contact your local PVA(poperty valuators) office and find out who owns the home. This is public information. Hopefully, you'll be able to look the people up in the phonebook or internet and ask them who the realty company is. You can also contact the realtors association and tenant services to find out if this company is legit.
2007-09-03 05:27:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
There are way too many red flags on this one. Tell him to call you when the company gets sorted out, that you might still be interested then. In the meantime, look at other places to rent.
2007-09-03 06:54:42 · answer #4 · answered by Judy 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Run away fast!
If you're really interested in the house, go to the county property appraiser and find out who actually owns it and try to get their contact information...
2007-09-03 05:27:22 · answer #5 · answered by Mom26g 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Ask who his Broker is and look on line and see if it is a valid office. He may be telling the truth. Ask for the new office address and go there.
2007-09-03 05:32:04 · answer #6 · answered by Beatrice C 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT give him a blank check.
It may be legitimate that they are changing companies, etc., but I would not give them a blank check.
Tell him you will wait until their new company is up and running.
2007-09-03 05:26:51 · answer #7 · answered by mister_galager 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋