Possible scam? Read and evaluate

[ponyfitness]

So my girl and I are looking for rental units in Ottawa, and found a bunch of places on craigslist that we have set up viewings at.

Her brother went to check one out for us two days ago and it was awesome at a good price. The person we have been corresponding with via email showed it and provided the rental application, which has a property management company attached to it. First suspicious thing is that the guy we are writing is not listed on their web site as a property manager.

We faxed the application in yesterday morning to the office number (found on the web site and application). Today we get an email from this guy saying they received it, but they have another applicant who has made a deposit and after speaking with his boss, they were wondering if we could courier a deposit money order so they could hold the unit and make their decision.

My girl is on the phone right now verifying that this guy actually works for the company, but sending money to someone we have never met to try to hold a unit isn't something we are about to do. Scam or no? We're going to tell the guy we will be in town tomorrow night anyway and will meet him at his office with a cheque if that is okay and see how he responds.

Made my alarm bells go off but I might just be cynical from living in a scam happy city for so long.

 

[ortiz34]

I'd be very careful, and no you are not being over cautious. People are scamming and robbing banks like no tommorow right now.
Best of luck

 

[trex74]

I dunno, but I've heard of scams like this, here's a few examples...

CBC News - Ottawa - Rental scam targets students

Rental Fraud Warning

Condo rental scam on Craigslist Ottaw - Fraudwatchers

Police looking for victims of room rental scam

CBC News - Nfld. & Labrador - St. John's landlord warns of rental scam

New Online Rental Scam - Canucks Community

 

[bakemeacookie]

THat makes no sense. I'd call the city and giving people deposits on a whim is a great way to have small claims court dates in the future. Don't be stoopid.

Also tell these dumbfucks you're not stoopid.

c

 

[ponyfitness]

We called and verified with his head office that he does actually work there, but we talked to his boss who said that they won't process anything until Monday anyway so we can give it to them in person when we are there on the weekend.

Pretty ballsy IMO asking for a large sum of money by courier.

We're looking at a bunch of other places anyway on Saturday morning so hopefully it will all work out. Thanks for the advice!

 

[InGreatShape]

So my girl and I are looking for rental units in Ottawa, and found a bunch of places on craigslist that we have set up viewings at.

Her brother went to check one out for us two days ago and it was awesome at a good price. The person we have been corresponding with via email showed it and provided the rental application, which has a property management company attached to it. First suspicious thing is that the guy we are writing is not listed on their web site as a property manager.

We faxed the application in yesterday morning to the office number (found on the web site and application). Today we get an email from this guy saying they received it, but they have another applicant who has made a deposit and after speaking with his boss, they were wondering if we could courier a deposit money order so they could hold the unit and make their decision.

My girl is on the phone right now verifying that this guy actually works for the company, but sending money to someone we have never met to try to hold a unit isn't something we are about to do. Scam or no? We're going to tell the guy we will be in town tomorrow night anyway and will meet him at his office with a cheque if that is okay and see how he responds.

Made my alarm bells go off but I might just be cynical from living in a scam happy city for so long.

You just did the right way. Maybe the guy won't be offended with that, it just a matter of
making it sure that you don't want to be scammed or robbed.

good luck!