Apartment Hunting Scams

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>I posted this on the Berkeley forum, but I am sure it will apply to other UC transfers looking for apartments elsewhere. Be careful.</p>

<p>I imagine some of you are on craigslist still looking for Berkeley area apartments.</p>

<p>I just want to warn you, there is some sort of international scam running on apartments "available" near campus. I have been hit with this one twice. If you see a 1 bedroom for about $1100 near campus, you might get this in return. The only thing that changes in the emails I get back, is the name of the Rev. and the way they spell Apartment. It is a form they just fill out and send for craigslist scams.</p>

<p>If it is too good to be true, it probably is. Good luck everyone.</p>

<p>" Hello,</p>

<p>Sorry for my short coming and thanks for your email and interest in renting my Apartment . I am Reverend Hawkins Patterson, the owner of the Whole complex of the Apartment you are making inquiry of…Actually I resided in the Apartment with my family, my wife and my only daughter before and presently we have moved out due to my transfer from my work now in United Kingdom. Presently my Apartment is still available for rent for $1015 Per Month (rent already includes utilities).
Moreso Now, i’m currently in United Kingdom for an international Christian follower’s crusade....Pls i want you to note that,i am a kind, honest and trustworthy Man and also i spent a lot on my property that i want to give to you for rent,so i will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this Apartment and want you to treat it as your own, It is not the money that is the main problem but 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 also want you to let me have trust in you as i always stand on my word.
This is the address of the Apartment : (2705 Ridge Rd Berkeley, CA 94709).It has a Lovely home in a nice neighborhood is known for excellent schools. Conveniently located with nearby shopping centers, hospitals, free ways and public transportation. Amenities W/D Hookups Central Heat & A/C Granite Tiled Fireplace washing machines, flat screen,Linen, Washing Machine, Dryer, Iron, vacuum cleaner, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Freezer, Cooking rings, Microwave,Dinnerware and serving pieces, Toaster, Coffee Maker, Kettle,TV, cable TV full access, DVD player, Stereo, Internet,Heating: Electricity,Hot water: Electricity(Include The Rent)</p>

<p>TAKE NOTE: YOU CAN ONLY DRIVE BY AND SEE MY Apartment FROM THE OUTSIDE AND IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN RENTING THE Apartment GET THE APPLICATION FORM FILLED SO THAT I CAN MAKE OUT ARRANGEMENT TO SHIP OUT THE KEYS & DOCUMENT TO YOU AS SOON AS YOU ARE READY. I WOULD HAVE REALLY LOVE TO SHIP THE KEYS TO SOMEONE IN THE STATE BUT I DON'T HAVE ANYBODY THERE RIGHT NOW AND I DON'T WANT TO MAKE USE OF ANY THIRD PARTY THAT IS WHY AM HANDLING MY PROPERTY MYSELF. </p>

<p>FLOOR PLAN:
- Living room(300 sq ft) with 1 closet, windows, ceiling fan with light, granite fireplace, closet, hard wood floors.
- Bedrooms(85 sq ft) with window, ceiling fan with light, hard wood floors.
- Kitchen (100 sq ft) with cabinets, formica counters, stainless steel sink, gas stove, ceiling light, vinyl tile floor.
- Full bathroom (75 sq ft) w/ tub with shower, vanity sink, toilet, ceiling light, ceramic tile floors. </p>

<p>SO IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN RENTING THE Apartment , I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE RENT APPLICATION FORM.</p>

<p>RENT APPLICATION FORM
1)Your Full Name?--------------------------------------
2)Your Full Address?-------------------------------------
3)Phone Number?----------------------------------
4) Sex ?--------------------------------------
5)How old are you?------------------
6)Are you married?---------------------------------
7)How many people will be living in the Apartment ?------------------
8)Do you have a pet?------------------------------------
9)Do you have a car?-----------------------------------
10)Occupation?-------------------------------------------
11)When do you intend moving in : Date?---------------------
12)When do you intend to moving out : Date?------------------
13)How many months or year contract?-------------------------
14)Deposit : One or Two month Deposit are required?--------------------
15)Picture of the Occupant?-------------------------------- </p>

<p>Apartment Address:
2705 Ridge Rd,
Berkeley, CA 94709
Monthly Rent: $1015.</p>

<p>Pets Allowed: Yes
Available : Available Now for move in.
So pls get back to me ASAP.</p>

<p>Regards and God bless you."</p>

2

<p>I almost got fooled by a similar one:
"Thanks for the email and interest in renting our Property. I Dr. Joan Robert own the home for rent and I want you to know that it was due to my transfer that makes me to leave my apartment.I want to give it out for rent and looking for a responsible person that can take very good care of it, I am not after the money for the rent but want it to be clean & Tidy at all time and the person that will rent it to take it as if it were its own.</p>

<p>So for now, I am here in West Africa in my new apartment and also with the keys of the property and documents. I tried looking for a trust worthy agent that i can leave the property in his care and give the keys/documents before i left but could not find and i don’t want my home to be misused in my Absent that is why i took it along with me. I came over to West Africa because I was offered a 4years contract to work with Nigeria University teaching Hospital, so i hope to find someone responsible who could promise us to take very good care of our home.</p>

<p>So get back to me on how you could take care of our apartment or perhaps experience you have in renting home. This property will go quick due to the price so you need to act fast The total move in fee is (First & Damage Deposit) with hydro, heat laundry facilities, air condition and so on. I am looking forward to hear from you ASAP so that i can forward you an application to fill out and discuss on how to get my home for rent.</p>

<p>Thanks and God Bless.
Dr: Joan Robert."</p>

<p>Followed by
"RENTALS APPLICATION
FIRST NAME:__________________
MIDDLE NAME:_________________
LAST NAME:__________________
PROFESSION: ________________
HOME PHONE (<strong><em>)</em></strong>______
(CELL)PHONE (<strong><em>)</em></strong>______
(WORK)PHONE (<strong><em>)</em></strong>______
KIDS _____ (YES/NO), HOW MANY________
PRESENT ADDRESS:_____________________
CITY: _______________
STATE: ______________
ZIPCODE: ____________
HOW LONG DO YOU INTEND STAYING?____________
WHEN DO YOU INTEND MOVING IN?______________
HOW SOON CAN YOU HAVE THE DEPOSIT PAYMENT SENT TO ME___________________________
HOW SOON DO YOU WANT TO RECEIVE THE KEYS AND DOCUMETS OF THE HOUSE___________________________
DO YOU HAVE A PET:_____________
NAME OF PET:_____________
KIND OF PETS:_____________
DO YOU SMOKE?______________</p>

<p>Wide Parking place is available/Washer & Dryer/Internet/Air Condition E.t.c</p>

<p>Kindly fill out the rental application and get back to me ASAP.
Thanks and God Bless.
Dr: Joan Robert."</p>

<p>Key signs of fraud: improper punctuation, giving themselves an elite job, saying god bless at the end, needing to send them money online because they are out of town doing good for the world, you cannot see the place before renting it</p>

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<p>Oh, and mine was for the La Jolla area for UCSD. This scam is everywhere.</p>

4

<p>Lmao I think the personal details are interesting… almost demographic-like. A reverend and a Dr…</p>