scam

Last week my husband put in a real estate sales listing. He is not affiliated with Trulia, but listings submitted to our local MLS get on the site.

He was surprised yesterday when he got a call from someone wanting to rent the house. According to the caller his listing was on Trulia as a rental. It was also listed at an enticing rental amount—$700 a month for an area that would typically go for $2000 a month.

He looked on Trulia, and sure enough his listing was there, under someone else’s name and a phone number out of Bullhead City (according to our Internet search).

Don got on the phone and raised hell with Trulia. I created a fake email account to see what would happen if I inquired about the rental.

Today the ad is off Trulia, yet that didn’t stop me and others from receiving a reply from the scammers, in spite of the fact Trulia was informed of the scam BEFORE they forwarded my email to the crook, and his email back to me.

In my opinion Trulia needs to contact everyone they forwarded emails to, before someone sends the crooks money. To hell with Trulia’s lame “buyer beware” warning under the ad. They need to step up to the plate and do the right thing.

Lesson for the public: do NOT search rentals on Trulia.

This is a copy of the letter I received.

Phillips Lola
To me Today at 10:03 AM
Hello,

Thanks for mailing us in regard to the property. We’re looking for a responsible tenant that will take proper care of the property. We are couples that recently moved to (West Africa) owing to our job. We both work in an organization at the Christian care health system (christianacare.org) we wanted to sell the house but my wife advised against it since we will be in Africa for at list 8-9 years before we come back to the states, we will be needing the house in the future so we can have somewhere to stay when we get back. The property available for rent is in a convenient neighborhood that is peaceful and safe, It’s a 3 Bedroom and a 2 Bath house located at (xxx, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406) You can easily take a drive down there to take a look at the exterior of the Property. The rent is $700 per month while the Deposit is $700 and the rent includes utilities such as electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash disposal, air-condition, Internet, Cable, washer and dryer, pets are also acceptable. I will appreciate it if you can get back to me on how you can keep the place clean. I look forward to hearing from you if interested.

Please if you are ready now to occupy the house kindly provide us with the rental application information below for record purpose.

Full Name:
Email Address:
Home Phone:
Other Phone:
Date of Birth:
Current Address:
City:
State:
Zipcode:
Reasons for Leaving:
Rent $:
Are you married:
How soon are you willing to pay the deposit:
How many people will be living in the house:
Do you have a pet:
Do you have a car:
Occupation:
Move In Date:

The rental fee is inclusive with utilities and my home available as at this moment. Remain Blessed.

You can reach me at +234-704-445-0883 or 011-234-704-445-0883

Phillips

24 comments on “Trulia Rental Scam – Renters beware!

  1. C Thompson

    I too, received the same email reply, when inquiring on the ad for a Stevensville house rental. Rent was too high for as nice as this house is, Phillips Lola is in W. Africa working, etc, etc — RED FLAG.

    I Googled his name – nothing. I Goggled his phone and got your website!

    Have reported this bogus ad to Trulia just now and would like to go further to report this scammer.

    Thank you for this article!!!

  2. melissa

    Yep, the tried to get me too. I reported them. This time the name was David. Oh, yes, tell me how you’ll pay my cable while you’re in West Africa. Haha!

  3. tim & jamie

    we were looking for a rental property got all the same scam letter as above except in our area and this time they are using the name chris edmond. when you google the number in the ad it is someplace in california and the other number leads us here!!!
    It is a shame what extremes people will go to scam others and yet play the “christian” theme to the tee!!!! WATCH OUT !!!!

  4. Dee

    Total SCAM. I Received the below response today when inquiring about a home for rent from Marley King

    Hello,

    Thanks for your interest and inquiries about my Unit. Sorry for getting back late to you, Yes the Unit is still available for rent and we are looking for a responsible person/family to occupy and maintain the Unit now that we are not around.Actually I did reside in the house with my family and presently we have moved out due to my transfer to (ALABAMA) for a program called SAVING THE LESS PRIVILEGE CHILD PROGRAM with DAVE THOMAS FOUNDATION.for more information visit our website on http://www.davethomasfoundation.org
    Take note that you can not see the inside of the Unit but you can only drive by the Unit for now because the Unit is locked up for security purpose due to my work transfer but you can peek at it from the windows Myself and Family just traveled to (ALABAMA) for the program. My transfer would be for a period between 2-6 years, so I would definitely be renting my House to whom ever that will take good care of it.

    DETAILS ABOUT THE House:
    Pets:Allowed
    Number of bedrooms:2
    Number of bathrooms:1
    Rental price: $1000 per month and security Deposit is $800(Security Deposit is Refundable)

    Utilities included in monthly rent Pets Welcome.

    Here is the address to the House:
    5847 Dashwood St, Lakewood, CA 90713

    1. Bobbi Holmes Post author

      Notice they like to say they are working in some charity. Like that will make you trust them. I wonder who really owns the house.

  5. D

    Hi Bobbi – they’re still at it on craigslist – got suckered into driving 80 miles with this version of their copypasta.

    I might have fallen for it, too, given how high prices are these days. Thanks for keeping the word out there.

    -D

    Hi,

    Thanks for mailing us in regard to the property. We’re looking for a
    responsible tenant that will take proper care of the property.

    NOTE!!! I have just moved to Houston TX 6 weeks ago with my family
    because of the new work transfer and we have the keys here with us
    that will be mailed to you if we approve you, initially we actually
    wanted to sale the house because we already had it listed for sale on
    multiple sites but we decided to rent it out for 1 or 2 years and sell
    it to you afterwords if you take good care of it properly, we have to
    rent out this property and we are just looking for someone that will
    rent from us so we can take if off market for sale now on till we are
    ready to sell.

    We both work in an organization at the Christian care health system
    (christianacare.org). The property is available for rent, property is
    in a convenient neighborhood that is peaceful and safe, It’s a 3
    Bedroom and 2 Bath house located at (15075 Konocti Vw,Clearlake, CA
    95422) You can easily take a drive down there to take a look at the
    exterior of the Property. The rent is $1000 per month while the
    Security deposit is $1000, utilities such as heat, water, gas, and
    electrical are included in the rent.

    You also have fully equipped kitchen, Refrigerator, Microwave, Gas
    Range, Dishwasher, Garbage Disposal, Hood Over Range, washing machine,
    trash disposal, air-condition, Internet, Cable, large living room with
    appliances including in-suite washer and dryer, electric heating, Wall
    Furnaces to enjoy in this house. Pets are also acceptable. I will
    appreciate if you can get back to me with your renting experience, how
    you can keep the place clean and anything you think we should know. I
    look forward to hear (read) from you, so if you wish to apply get back
    to me so i can forward an application to you and also discuss on how
    to get the property for rent.

    Warm Regards

    Landlord

  6. Amy Boisvert

    Hello,

    I received your inquiry about my property for rent at 46 Laurel St,Concord, NH 03301.
    My name is Donald D Ayers, Actually I did own and resided in the unit with my wife until my urgent transfer which brought us down to California. Yes the unit is still available for rent and we are looking for a responsible person/family to occupy and maintain the unit now that we are not around. My Wife and i just moved to California for a program called SAVING THE LESS PRIVILEGES CHILD PROGRAM with DAVE THOMAS FOUNDATION. The initial plan was to sell the property but I find it difficult to let go this adorable home, I stopped working with the real estate management because i am no longer selling the place but renting it to a good and potential tenant. So they have no access into the property anymore and i will be dealing directly with my tenant. We will be staying in California for at least 4 years or more and that is why we have made up our minds to put up the unit for rent to whom ever that will take good care of it and we intend getting a bigger unit again as soon we are done with the program. for more information

    visit our website on (www.davethomasfoundation.org)

    DETAILS ABOUT THE PROPERTY.
    Property address : 46 Laurel St,Concord, NH 03301

    Bedrooms: 3
    Bathrooms: 1.5
    Rent is : $950 and security Deposit is $750. Security Deposit is Refundable

    Utilities included; Heat, A/C in wall, window, cable, Garbage Disposal,Fireplace,
    Fridge, stove, Dishwasher, Dryer,internet access e.t.c. and all the utilities are
    included in the monthly rent,as i am in a governmental programmer that sponsors
    my utilities on monthly basis because of this reason and more we need a
    responsible person that can take very good care of it as we are not after the
    money, but want it to be clean and for you to take it as if it were yours. You
    can only drive by the property for now to check the outside and the neighborhood,
    it is available for a long/short term lease. Below is the rental questionnaire i would want you to answer so we can proceed further with the rental.
    N.B: I want you to know that we never had an intention of renting out the home
    until we got down here when my wife got sick so we had to rent out the home so we
    can use the monthly rent as a source of income to carter for my wife and the kids,so should in case we had an intention of renting the home then we would have drop

    down the keys with someone to handle the rental on our behalf but since we don’t then that is why we had to bring the keys over here, so we will be mailing
    out the keys to you as soon as we finalize the rental processes OK?

    Thanks.
    Donald D Ayers .

    RENTAL FORM

    I really appreciate your effort in renting my property, Due to my job, I spent less time in the state so I could not get a hold on any Realtor to handle this rent issue, although it was when I knew how long we are going to stay that I decided to rent out the property. However, the initial plan was to rent out the property with the property management. which I tried, but sometimes the agents inflates the prize and it takes longer to rent, i am telling you this in case if you find it on another website, that is the old advert. because of this reason and more we need a responsible person that can take very good care of it as we are not after the money , but want it to be clean and for you to take it as if it were yours. I want you to know that my unit is ready for you to move in. I will not be showing you the interior parts of the unit because I am currently out of the state and i will need you to promise me that you will take good care of the unit for me if you happen to move in as my new tenant.

    Below is the rental questionnaire i would want you to answer so we can proceed further with the

    rental.

    RENT QUESTIONNAIRE

    Full Name: ________?
    Phone numbers(home and cell)#:__________?
    Marital Status(Sex):__________?
    How many proposed occupants:__________?
    List all in addition to yourself including approx age(s):__________?
    Present home Address :__________?
    Do you have pets:__________?
    Please describe Breed/size/Personality of pet:__________?
    Present occupation:__________?
    Monthly Income:_______________?
    Do you work late night(work hours):__________?
    Length of previous tenancy :__________?
    Brief Rental History:__________________?
    Are you a section 8 applicant:___________?
    When do you plan to move in, please write exact date:__________?
    Intended length of lease:__________?

    Habits;
    Do you smoke/drink:__________?
    Do you party late:___________?

    Credits;
    Good/Bad:_______________?
    Any criminal record(YES/NO):_______?
    Reference(s):______________?

    Do you agree to make a down payment before you move in:__________?
    If you are asked to make a down payment to secure the property today and take it

    off market, How much will you be able to pay:__________?

    I _________________, Certify that answers given herein are true and complete to

    the best of my knowledge. I authorize investigation of all statements contained

    in this application for tenant screening as may be necessary in arriving at a
    tenant decision. I understand that the landlord may terminate any rental
    agreement entered into for any misrepresentation made above.
    Looking forward to hear from you with the rental application form so that i can
    have it in my file in case of issuing the receipt for you and contacting you.
    Await your urgent reply so that we can discuss on how to get the keys to you,
    please I am giving you all this base on trust and again i will want you to stick
    to your words, you know that we do not see yet and only putting everything into
    Gods hand, so please do not let me down in this property and God bless you more
    as you do this. You can move in with your pet.

    I look forward to hear from you ASAP so that we can proceed further.

    Sdex Dexd
    sdex.dexd@aol.com

    —–Original Message—–
    From: Haileyrosenh
    To: sdex.dexd
    Sent: Wed, Sep 20, 2017 8:28 pm
    Subject: Charming in town New Englander w/ fenced in back yard,

    Is this legit?
    http://nh.craigslist.org/apa/6313981120.html

    Sent from my Verizon LG Smartphone

    1. Bobbi Holmes Post author

      When I went to ck out the link, I got a message that said it was flagged for removal. Looks suspicious. If renting from a private party I did not know, I would probably check to make sure who actually owns the house. I would do some serious due diligence. Good luck!

  7. Rebecca Schreiner

    Thank you for this post!

    I also came across this craigslist scam in Burbank, CA and then after a couple days and emails I found the listing on trulia too. I asked for more information and they used the name Mr. Carlos Moore. It is sad that they feel that they need to deceive people to make a living and just managed to waste my time. I hope other people can find this link and avoid the scam too.

    Here is the email they sent from this email address: nameoflove926@gmail.com

    Hi,

    Thanks for mailing us in regard to the property. We’re looking for a responsible tenant that will take proper care of the property. NOTE!!! I have just moved to Houston TX 6 weeks ago with my family because of the new work transfer and we have the keys here with us that will be mailed to you if we approve you, My Wife and i are looking for a responsible tenant that will take proper care of the property while we are away because i will be relocating with my family. I just got transferred because of our job and so i have to rent out this property since i will be away for some time. We both work in an organization at the Christiana care health system (christianacare.org). The property is available for rent, property is in a convenient neighborhood that is peaceful and safe, It’s a 2 Bedroom and 1 Bath house located at 370 W Spazier Ave,Burbank, CA 91506. You can easily take a drive down there to take a look at the exterior of the Property. Utilities such as heat, water, gas, and electrical are included in the rent. You also have fully equipped kitchen, Refrigerator, Microwave, Gas Range, Dishwasher, Garbage Disposal, Hood Over Range, washing machine, trash disposal, air-condition, Internet, Cable, large living room with appliances including in-suite washer and dryer, electric heating, Wall Furnaces to enjoy in this house. My wife and I initially had it up for sale but had a change of mind in leasing it out ourselves because the agent that was in charge of our rental property was asking too much of an agent fee and also making it difficult for people who cannot afford the rent, stay away from renting my house. We will like you to know that, it is not the money that really matters to us but that our house be taking proper care of that is why we made the house so inexpensive because i believe everybody deserves a home both the rich and the poor. I hope you understand where I’m coming from. I will appreciate if you can get back to me with your renting experience, how you can keep the place clean and anything you think we should know. I look forward to hear (read) from you, so if you wish to apply get back to me so i can forward an application to you and also discuss on how to get the property for rent.

    Below is the rental property address:
    House Address
    370 W Spazier Ave,
    Burbank, CA 91506
    Monthly Fee ; $1860
    Security Deposit: $1500
    1,300 ft2
    Pets Allowed: YES
    Available :Available Now for move in.
    So pls get back to me today.
    I await your reply ASAP.
    The rental fee is inclusive with utilities and my home available as at this moment
    Available :Available Now for move in.
    Remain Blessed.

  8. Jessica

    I got the same reply on a house rental in Gardena!!! The guy even sent me pictures of “him and his family” and a picture of his “attorney!”

    Hi,
    Thanks for mailing us in regard to the property. Yes, the House is still available and will only be given out to the right person that will take very good care of the place and the facilities.Well i must let you know that the house has a lot of facilities like laundry facilities,air condition,internet and telephone access and car garage and other necessary facilities.I have really decided to give out the house as a result of my transfer to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania my new place of employment. I and my wife both work in an organization at the Christiana care health system (christianacare.org).

    I will be renting out the house for $1,370(Including Utilities) water,gas,electricity and garbage and a security deposit of $970(refundable) $120 for each pet as pet deposit (negotiable)

    House Address: 17919 La Salle Ave, Gardena, CA 90248
    Bedrooms 3
    Bathrooms 1
    Sq. footage: 1,012

    My wife and I initially had it up for sale but had a change of mind in leasing it out ourselves because the agent that was in charge of our rental property was asking too much of an agent fee and also making it difficult for people who cannot afford the rent, stay away from renting my house. We will like you to know that, it is not the money that really matters to us but that our house be taking proper care of as if he/she owns it, that is why we made the house so inexpensive because i believe everybody deserves a home both the rich and the poor. I hope you understand where I’m coming from. I will appreciate if you can get back to me with your renting experience, how you can keep the place clean and anything you think we should know. I look forward to hear (read) from you, so if you wish to apply get back to me so i can forward an application to you and also discuss on how to get the property for rent.
    Utilities Included in the rent are water ,Gas and electricity
    Pets allowed are DOGS and CATS
    Remain Blessed.
    Mr/Mrs Mathew Jim & Family

    Hello,

    We are very pleased that you wrote us regarding our home. We have also made it known to anyone renting our home that our objectives are making sure that the house is kept clean and neat.

    I really know that God has lead me to a wonderful family like yours, as we are planning on selling our home initially thinking that no one can take care of our home when we are gone but with the help of my wife, we are able to think properly before selling our home and have found out that renting it will be the best option for us.You have also said a lot that pleases us and we have also seen how wonderful you and your family can be when you move into our home. My concerns has been solved by you and we believe that all you said should be done the right way in ensuring that we trust you of becoming our tenant. We also plan on making our tenant family friends when they move in.

    If all arrangement goes well, we will have the entrance keys and other relevant document in a hard copy paper shipped to your present home address for you to move in at your convenient date. Our home is beautiful and need no amendments. All you have to do is bring in your belongings and maintain the utilities for us. We also have Internet cable in our home as we speak, and will like you to take absolute care of our house when you move in. As soon as you get back to me I will be emailing you the rental application form for you to fill and get back to us with your information so that we can know you better.

    Best Regards.

    Email they aren’t using: nameoflove926@gmail.com
    And phone number: (607) 218-4937

    1. Bobbi Holmes Post author

      Who has a picture of their attorney ready to send? LOL
      I really loathe scammers!!

      1. Jessica

        It won’t let me post the pictures. But yessss I’m so thankful I came across this website! We were close on sending them the deposit fees! Thank you!

    2. Tania

      I am so glad you posted this response because I got the exact same one for a house in Montebello. Different email, same phone number. I got the pictures and everything as well. All I had to do was Google the phone number and this site came up. Thankfully we didn’t send him the deposit.

      Email used: betterfamily78@gmail.com
      And phone number: 607 218-4937

      1. Angelica Celeste Osburn

        Well they’re still at it. Got the same emails word for word about a different house. Sent us pictures too. It got fishy when I asked them to send us documents of the house and a release agreement before they sent us money. They even tried saying they got offered 3 times the money and turned it down.

  9. Nikolai Orekhov

    I got same.
    Thanks for mailing us in regard to the property. Yes, the House is still available and will only be given out to the right person that will take very good care of the place and the facilities.Well i must let you know that the house has a lot of facilities like laundry facilities,air condition,internet and telephone access and car garage and other necessary facilities.I have really decided to give out the house as a result of my transfer to New Orleans, LA my new place of employment. I and my wife both work in an organization at the Christiana care health system

  10. K. G.

    Good Morning,
    Thank you for posting this SCAM WARNING! I just received a similar offer out here in Columbus OH!
    This was from a Mr.& Mrs Jermey Walker stating they went to MO to help with the Dave Thomas Foundation for the under privileged youth.
    This is horrible. I’m glad I decided to investigate the information before agreeing to a rental questioner with all my personal information.

    THANKS AGAIN

  11. Pat

    I receivedThe same email, but this time he’s saying he moved to California The listing is still up it’s on socialserve.com it was almost urgent he wanted the money so I google and this where the site lead me… Thank you google

    1. Bobbi Holmes Post author

      Yep, Google can help us save money if we remember to search those too good to be true ads!

  12. Pat

    I received your inquiry about my property for rent my name is Quaro fransisco I’m originally from NewJersey, I and my family.have decided to rent my home to a responsible tenant who is willing to take very good care of it in our absence. we just moved to California for my job i work for a program called SAVING THE LESS PRIVILEGE CHILD PROGRAM Pets are allowed as long as they are not destructive. The rent is $1000 and security deposit is $535 and total move-in cost is $1535 and all the utilities are included in the monthly rent and let me know what you can come up with, as i am in a governmental programme that sponsors my utilities on monthly basis and pets are also allowed. You can get back to me with the rental questionnaire filled out.

    Below are some questions I need you to answer so we can discuss
    further. it is available for a long lease. Get back to me for further
    discussion on how to get the keys and paperwork of the property to you
    if I find you suitable and decide to rent the property to you..

    Property address :14238 Bonham Oaks Ln, Houston, TX

    RENT QUESTIONNAIRE
    Name (First name/ Middle name/Surname ) : __________?
    Phone numbers (home,cell and office line ) # :__________?
    Marital Status:__________?
    How many proposed occupants :__________?
    List all in addition to yourself including approx age :__________?
    Present Address :__________?
    Will you have pets :__________?
    Please describe Breed, size :__________?
    Personality of pet :__________?
    When do you plan to move in, please write exact date?
    Intended length of lease:__________?
    Do you agree to pay the payment before you move in:__________?
    If you are ask to make a down payment to secure the house today and
    take it off market, How much will you be able to pay:__________?
    Length of previous tenancy :__________?
    Present occupation :__________?
    Are you a section 8 applicant
    Do you work late night :__________?
    Do you smoke :__________?
    Do you drink :__________?

    I ___________________, Certify that answers given herein are true and
    complete to the best of my knowledge. I authorize investigation of all
    statements contained in this application for tenant screening as may
    be necessary in arriving at a tenant decision. I understand that the
    landlord may terminate any rental agreement entered into for any
    misrepresentation made above.

    Looking forward to hearing from you with all these details so that I
    can have it in my file in case of issuing the receipt and contacting
    you. Await your reply so we can discuss on how to get the document and
    the key to you.

    Thanks and God bless

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