Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Central New Yorkers who are searching to rent a home or apartment should beware of a new online scam. This time, supposed landlords aren't looking to steal money; they’re looking to steal your identity using Craigslist.
Paul and Debra Knierman are two such renters. They are looking to find a new home while remaining local. "Trying to keep it in the same school district for the kids, with their friends so you don't disrupt their life too much," said Paul Knierman.
They thought they hit the jackpot when they received a reply from a Craigslist poster on a house they were interested in. They were forwarded pictures of the house but the supposed landlord had a request before he'd reveal the address and set up a time to look at the property.
The landlord told the Kniermans to go to a website to obtain a credit report and send the receipt to his address. Once that was done, the landlord said he would make a decision about whether or not the Kniermans could look at the property.
The couple went along with the landlord's request but became suspicious when they didn't hear back. After they received an almost identical response to another Craigslist posting on a different house, they knew they'd been had.
The scammers go online and find legitimate properties for sale or for rent and then take the information and pictures from the listing and post fake for-rent ads with them.
Then, they either drive you to a credit checking company that only wants you to sign up for monthly monitoring or a bogus website where they steal your personal information.
The bottom line is, no matter what, don't give up personal information over the internet until you visit the home or apartment in-person and speak with the landlord or management company. A credit check might still be necessary, but not until after a tour of the property.
