by Michael Schwanke
Contact FactFinder 12 at 316-831-6166 or investigators@kwch.com
Jorge and Shelly Montoya say it started with knocks on the door.
"I didn't want to go to the door to open it," says Jorge.
There were people wanting to rent their home even though they were trying to sell it
"We started getting people knocking asking us if this was the house for a rent."
A call from their realtor explained it. The Montoya's house had ended up on Craigslist as a rental.
The scammers used the Montoya's listing and their realtor's name.
Realtor Cindy Clyne was as surprised as the Montoyas
"I hope they don't come looking for Cindy Clyne in Wichita," says Clyne.
Here's how the scam works:
The official listing is taken from the internet then reposted on Craigslist or any site like it as a rental. The person, claiming to be the agent, asks for one month's rent plus a deposit.
In the Montoya's case the man claimed to be in Africa on business and that he would "ship the keys" once he received the application.
"We need to be checking that we're not be exploited," says Clyne.
Clyne is worried this is happening to others, and wants other realtors be aware of it. She wonders how many people have sent the money.
As for the Montoyas, the only thing they lost was a little time trying explaining to people their house isn't for rent.
"Some sounded pretty upset," says Jorge.
- If you're listing your home, check web sites like Craigslist and search your address.
- Realtors should do the same.
- Flag any false posting right away.
- If you're renting, don't send money to a landlord you haven't met--especially one out of country.
Letter from scammer (exactly as written)
Hi,
I did get your response concerning the AD I posted on craigslist. The house is still available but presently I'm not around...I did bid for a portion of petroleum land sometimes ago in West Africa and fortunately I won the bidding so I have to move quickly down to Africa to have my company set up because I will still have to rebid for I in the next 10 years. I came over here with my wife, we both bought the house when we got married. As soon as we settle down here I had a thought of selling the house so I have to look for an agent, after getting one, we got a deal but later my wife advised against that. She said we may not be able to win the bidding next time, in other to keep our head when we return that we have to keep the house. I reasoned with her and accepted her advise. So I contacted the agent back and requested for my keys and documents. Later we decided to have the house rent out, we would have give the same agent this job also but the truth of the matter is that the agent would want to handle it professionally and the occupant may not be able to reason along with him later. If you notice, you will discovered that the price we are offering is far below standard price, this is enough for you to know that we are not after the rental fee but the absolute care for the property. I know there is no way I can be sure that you are the right person to live in the house because we don't be able to see physical before sending you the keys and the documents to occupy the space. But I just had a feeling that anyone who knows what it takes to put the kind of structure down should know that maintaining a building is mandatory, so if you belief you can take good care of the house and handle it like yours then I will be more than happy to let you rent the house.
