# What's the scam? (It IS a scam, right?) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 18, 2009, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-it-is-a-scam-right/506837 "2009-08-18T13:11:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-it-is-a-scam-right/506837/1 "2009-08-18T13:11:09Z")
It’s just too weird not to be. Maybe it’s just gross incompetence. I don’t know. I’m looking for an apartment in Charlottesville, VA. Not the best time of year to be doing this, but there are enough adds that I’m not too worried. I responded to a craigslist add for an apartment. Many of the adds have grossly inadequate descriptions, sometimes even to the point of not saying where the apartment is (“off XYZ road”, where XYZ road runs through half of town :smack:.) I ask for more information and I get a reply: > [@](#): > > Hi, > Thank you for your intrest in our rental property. > It is at the moment still available for occupancy. > > Here is a copy of our rental application, Print it out. > [www.ineedahomenow.net/rentalapp.pdf](http://www.ineedahomenow.net/rentalapp.pdf) In PDF format > [www.ineedahomenow.net/RentalApplication.doc](http://www.ineedahomenow.net/RentalApplication.doc) In Word format > > We dont do a check on your rental history or a background check but we do require a credit check. In order to rent any of our properties you must have a credit score of 450 or higher. I do make exceptions but you must bring a copy of your report and an explanation. > > You can get a copy of your score free below > [http://www.howdoicheckmycreditreport.com/credit.php](http://www.howdoicheckmycreditreport.com/credit.php) > > Do not email it to me just bring it with you. > > We do not require a security deposit or pet deposit on this property. > > Unlike most properties you wont be charged an application fee or credit check fee because you will bring your own. > > Renting this property is of my highest concern so if you dont act quickly it may get rented before you. > Hopefully I can walk you through the property either tomorrow or within the next few days appointments will be handled in the manner they were recieved. > Regards, > Home and Apartments Staff [ineedahomenow.net](http://ineedahomenow.net) doesn’t seem to exist, but the documents do. Is this merely attempt to get people to sign up for “free” credit reports? Seems kind of involved. Also got a reply from someone else: > [@](#): > > Please provide your telephone number and we will call and describe the apartment. No call yet… Maybe they don’t want to rent to someone from out of town. Dunno. I’m amazed at the number of places with zero laundry facilities. Not even in the building somewhere. “Oh, well there’s a laundromat a few blocks away”. No thanks. ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-it-is-a-scam-right/506837/2 "2009-08-18T13:18:05Z")
The scam is that you get your free credit report at [www.annualcreditreport.com](http://www.annualcreditreport.com) and not the site they listed. If you use their site you will be giving your social, name and address to strangers and they will then steal your identity. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-it-is-a-scam-right/506837/3 "2009-08-18T13:22:50Z")
Another thread about a similar situation: > **[Y'know, this seems fishy...](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=528532)** > > My fiancee and I are looking for an apartment (we have around ten days to find a place and move out. Not fun) and I saw an ad on Craigslist for a place under what we are willing to spend in a nice part of town. For anyone familiar with Santa Barbara... ---
**Author:** ![Kal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kal)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-it-is-a-scam-right/506837/4 "2009-08-18T13:23:05Z")
Unless I’m doing things wrong, a Whois lookup on the ineedahomenow name shows that the domain was only set up on the 13th. Same lookup on the credit check site shows that the domain was only set up on the 18th. My vote is phishing. They want you to enter all your details in the credit check site. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-it-is-a-scam-right/506837/5 "2009-08-18T14:08:58Z")
Ah ok. Makes sense now. I flagged it as “prohibited”. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-it-is-a-scam-right/506837/6 "2009-08-18T15:45:21Z")
From someone else: > [@](#): > > it is my gladness to hear from you.I am PAUL SMITH ,the owner of the Apartment you are making inquiry of.Actually I resided in the apartment with my family,presently we moved away due to my transfer from my working place presently my apartment is still available for rent its including the utilities like hydro,washer and security,it is furnished.More so Now, I went for a Crusade in the West Africa and i will like you to get in touch with my wife in the states for more discussion as She is with the keys and the documents to the Apartment.Pls i want you to note that,i am a kind and honest man and also i spent a lot on my property that i want to give you for rent,so i will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this apartment and want you to treat it as your own,is that taken,I want you to keep it tidy all the time so that i will be glad to see it neat when i come for a check up.I do that once in a while.I want have trust in you as i always stand by my words.Where are you located? let us know how soon you are willing to move in.Email my wife JENNIFER, on [removed by Ruken] and she will attend to you better ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-it-is-a-scam-right/506837/7 "2009-08-18T15:52:42Z")
When I was apartment-hunting I got one that said “The property is currently empty because I am working in Barcelona. Just send me the deposit to Barcelona and I will send you the keys because I trust you.” Hmm, yah. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-it-is-a-scam-right/506837/8 "2009-08-18T16:02:36Z")
> [@Ruken](#): > > Ah ok. Makes sense now. I flagged it as “prohibited”. You might also want to alert others to the scam by re-posting it with ‘SCAM WARNING: [original description].’ Might save a few people the trouble before it gets flagged for removal. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-it-is-a-scam-right/506837/9 "2009-08-18T17:23:46Z")
> [@Cat\_Fight](#): > > You might also want to alert others to the scam by re-posting it with ‘SCAM WARNING: [original description].’ Might save a few people the trouble before it gets flagged for removal. Ah. Didn’t know you could do that. This is the first time I’ve ever used Craigslist. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-it-is-a-scam-right/506837/10 "2009-08-18T19:56:46Z")
> [@Ruken](#): > > From someone else: > “I went for a Crusade in the West Africa…” They have Crusades in the West Africa now? What a Modern the World we live in. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-it-is-a-scam-right/506837/11 "2009-08-18T20:16:32Z")
Not entirely on topic (but mentioned in the OP)- I’ve never lived in Charlottesville, but I don’t think not having laundry facilities in the building is that uncommon. I lived in a few apartments that had them in a building on the other side of the apartment complex. When I lived in NYC, they were a few blocks away. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2009, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-it-is-a-scam-right/506837/12 "2009-08-18T22:01:04Z")
You’re right. Pretty much all of my friends in NYC used public laundromats. However, there are more laundromats per square mile in NYC than in a small town. Some of these places are not within easy walking distance. I don’t have time for that. Heck, I don’t even want it in the basement. I want it right there so I can leave my clothes in there all night without bugging anyone else. Clearly people who make apartments are not catering to the needs of Rukens. I can’t understand why 😛 ---
**Author:** ![msugirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@msugirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msugirl)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2009, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-it-is-a-scam-right/506837/13 "2009-09-09T02:37:55Z")
I live in Michigan and am looking for an apartment/house to rent on the west side of the state. I got that email word for word back. I thought it was strange and have requested more info and have not heard back from them. I did find this website when I was trying to research whether it was a scam or not. Now, I really think it is. Good luck with your search. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2009, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-it-is-a-scam-right/506837/14 "2009-09-09T18:51:16Z")
> [@Ruken](#): > > You’re right. Pretty much **all of my friends in NYC used public laundromats**. However, there are more laundromats per square mile in NYC than in a small town. Some of these places are not within easy walking distance. Slightly off topic, but worth mentioning: I had a friend in NYC, a fairly successful actress, who was a bit of a slob. Instead of doing laundry once a week, she would go every two or three weeks with almost every stitch of clothing and do all of her laundry at once - 5 - 6 loads easily. So, she had all of her laundry in the machines, went next door for some coffee and a quick read of the newspaper, and came back - all of her laundry had been stolen! I mean ALL of it. The only clothing she had left was what she was wearing - a sort of jogging suit, and I think she basically only had an old prom dress left hanging in her closet. Suffice it to say, she was mighty pissed off. Had to go out and buy everything new - underclothes, jeans, tops, skirts…etc. etc. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2009, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-it-is-a-scam-right/506837/15 "2009-09-09T20:15:07Z")
Obviously a scam, especially given the last email, but this is really tipped me off: > [@](#): > > You can get a copy of your score free below > [http://www.howdoicheckmycreditreport.com/credit.php](http://www.howdoicheckmycreditreport.com/credit.php) AFAIK, there is no “free” credit score you can get through any service. Only the reports are free, the score you always pay for. (edit: unless you sign up for one of those trials you have to cancel.) edit 2: Holy shit: > [@](#): > > If you do not cancel prior to the end of the 30-day trial, you will be billed at the annual subscription rate of $89.95 when the 30-day trial expires. Wow. I don’t ever remember it being THAT expensive. ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-it-is-a-scam-right/506837/16 "2009-09-11T01:56:00Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > They have Crusades in the West Africa now? What a Modern the World we live in. Tee hee… that’s what _I_ was thinking… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-it-is-a-scam-right/506837/17 "2009-09-11T02:43:33Z")
Looked to me like the howdoicheckmy site is an automatic click-thru to a legit-but-overpriced site that has a referrer program. Probably everyone that opens it generates a few cents for the “landlord” and anyone that actually signs up is a bonus. ---
**Author:** ![melanie\_luv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b782af/32.png) [@melanie\_luv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melanie_luv)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-it-is-a-scam-right/506837/18 "2010-01-12T18:11:58Z")
Hello, We appreciate for your interest in our rental unit. It is available as of right now and I can put you in for an appointment for come view the vacancy. We have 12 month 6 months and even as little as 3 month lease options available. We do not require a security deposit or application fee, only the first months rent. $100 Pet Fee If you have any (Total) You can fill out our application after you see the unit and bring a copy of your credit report with you to the viewing. Rental App- [Rental App | PDF](http://www.scribd.com/doc/24649799/Rental-App) Word You can get a copy of your credit report for free here: [www.howdoicheckmycreditreport.com/credit.php](http://www.howdoicheckmycreditreport.com/credit.php) Poor credit will have no effect on your eligibility. This property rents quickly so please bring these items with you to see the place. DO NOT EMAIL ANY PAPERS TO ME Thank you, Brittny …This is such bull… ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-it-is-a-scam-right/506837/19 "2010-01-14T18:27:57Z")
> [@melanie\_luv](#): > > …(B)ring a copy of your credit report with you to the viewing… You can get a copy of your credit report for free here: > [www.howdoicheckmycreditreport.com/credit.php](http://www.howdoicheckmycreditreport.com/credit.php) I can understand how people could get scammed into doing this. But then they add: > [@](#): > > Poor credit will have no effect on your eligibility. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![statsman1982](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@statsman1982](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/statsman1982)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-it-is-a-scam-right/506837/20 "2010-01-14T18:42:46Z")
My scam radar went off as soon as I read the message in the OP. There is just something about how these things are written–too polite, almost to the point of obsequiousness–that screams scam to me. My question is: Why haven’t these people tried bringing in native English speakers into their scams to make them seem more realistic. It’s almost as if they want to send out a subtle hint that it’s a scam in order to trap only the most gullible people. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-scam-it-is-a-scam-right/506837.md?page=2)