Another apartment rental scam in NYC
#1
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Another apartment rental scam in NYC
Got a call a few minutes ago from a friend who lives in a small co-op on the next block. Coming back from doing errands she found a family from FL, parents and 3 kids, in front of her building (a 5 story walk-up) looking for the apartment they "rented" for the week.
Unfortunately they didn't do even basic checking ( a look at google earth would have shown a brownstone versus a luxury high rise at this address) and they were stuck with only an email and cell phone that no one was responding to. Naturally the person who rented them the apartment had nothing to do with the building - or the co-op at all.
Apparently they had found it on Craig's list - and yes, paid in advance.
She helped them find a hotel in the area - but 2 rooms since there were 5 of them - but only because there had been a cancellation.
So - if coming to New York and not reserving a hotel - be sure you are not being scammed. Do not pay anything until you have full details and proof of reliability. Remember than anyone can place an ad, Or, better yet, stay at a real hotel or legal B^B.
Unfortunately they didn't do even basic checking ( a look at google earth would have shown a brownstone versus a luxury high rise at this address) and they were stuck with only an email and cell phone that no one was responding to. Naturally the person who rented them the apartment had nothing to do with the building - or the co-op at all.
Apparently they had found it on Craig's list - and yes, paid in advance.
She helped them find a hotel in the area - but 2 rooms since there were 5 of them - but only because there had been a cancellation.
So - if coming to New York and not reserving a hotel - be sure you are not being scammed. Do not pay anything until you have full details and proof of reliability. Remember than anyone can place an ad, Or, better yet, stay at a real hotel or legal B^B.
#3
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There was just a case of getting scammed on TA for a Boston apartment rented from Craigslist. It is a real (legal) rental apartment but someone just stole the VRBO description and put it on Craigslist.
Thanks for bringing this up again. Hoping it will help some people.
Thanks for bringing this up again. Hoping it will help some people.
#5
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Don't know all the details - just that they paid in advance. Not unusual for an apt versus hotel.
But people really do need to investigate before paying - especially in NY - where this is almost always illegal (even if not a scam).
But people really do need to investigate before paying - especially in NY - where this is almost always illegal (even if not a scam).
#6
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Doubt they sent a check. Most crooks request a money order, which can't be traced. Anyone who sends a money order almost deserves to be ripped off. I believe even Craigslist tells you that right on their site, or at least they used to.
#8
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THE ULTIMATE apt scam was just detailed in The New Yorker...great read...
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2...fa_fact_friend
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2...fa_fact_friend
#11
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For those of us who don;t subscribe how about a 2 sentence summary of who was cheated how? (In this case the apt did exist? Did he not own it? Did he rent it to a zilion tenants? did he sell if multiple times?)
#12
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The apartment in Chelsea was a rent stabilized large loft owned by a photographer who took deposits for sublet from many people simultaneously. It took the owner of the apt, who lived upstairs, years and years to get rid of him. You can probably find details on the web. The author of the story is Tad Friend..will try to recall the perps name.
#14
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#16
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Well this nut must be themsater. But there are a lot more out there doing it on a smaller scale.
Really - always be sure who you are dealing with before you sign or pay for anything.
Really - always be sure who you are dealing with before you sign or pay for anything.
#20
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I just read that New Yorker story last week, on the heels of reading Jon Ronson's "The Psychopath Test". Interesting intersection of subject matter!
I highly recommend both if you have any interest at all in the human psyche.
I highly recommend both if you have any interest at all in the human psyche.