In July I posted a blog about a Craigslist rental scam that I encountered. It was a beauty—misspellings, suspicious details and the listing’s poster even asked me to send him money (overseas) before I viewed the house.

It was an obvious scam, but I wanted to put the emails out there so people could see how the bilkers work. You can see the old post here.

The point of this post is to bring attention to my scam savvy. This month, the Internet Crime Complaint Center sent out an intelligence note about the same scam:

Rental and Real Estate Scams Individuals need to be cautious when posting rental properties and real estate on-line. The IC3 continues to receive numerous complaints from individuals who have fallen victim to scams involving rentals of apartments and houses, as well as postings of real estate on-line. 

Rental scams occur when the victim has rental property advertised and is contacted by an interested party. Once the rental price is agreed-upon, the scammer forwards a check for the deposit on the rental property to the victim. The check is to cover housing expenses and is, either written in excess of the amount required, with the scammer asking for the remainder to be remitted back, or the check is written for the correct amount, but the scammer backs out of the rental agreement and asks for a refund. Since the banks do not usually place a hold on the funds, the victim has immediate access to them and believes the check has cleared. In the end, the check is found to be counterfeit and the victim is held responsible by the bank for all losses.

Another type of scam involves real estate that is posted via classified advertisement websites. The scammer duplicates postings from legitimate real estate websites and reposts these ads, after altering them. Often, the scammers use the broker’s real name to create a fake email, which gives the fraud more legitimacy. When the victim sends an email through the classified advertisement website inquiring about the home, they receive a response from someone claiming to be the owner. The “owner” claims he and his wife are currently on missionary work in a foreign country. Therefore, he needs someone to rent their home while they are away. If the victim is interested in renting the home, they are asked to send money to the owner in the foreign country.

If you have been a victim of Internet crime, please file a complaint at http://www.IC3.gov/.

 As tornado season approaches, insurance industry experts are encouraging homeowners to confirm that they have enough insurance to replace their homes should they be destroyed or damaged by severe weather.

“Reliable estimates reveal that between 50 and 70 percent of homeowners do not have sufficient insurance to rebuild their home in the event of a major storm,” said Jerry Johns, president of Southwestern Insurance Information Service.

 Some of the issues to consider are increases in construction costs, any renovations or improvements to the home and local building codes, he said. 

Consumers often confuse the market value of their home rather than replacement value, Johns explained.   If a person does not have adequate insurance a company may pay only a portion of the cost of replacing or repairing damaged items.

Maintaining a current inventory of personal items in your home is highly recommended,  Johns said.  He suggests keeping a video taped or hand-written inventory that is kept in a safe place away from the home.

With the slew of recent vehicle recalls and heightened concerns about food and product safety, it’s important to note where to go when you have a complaint about something. (You could tell me, but I can only do so much).

Here is a list of federal agencies and the products under their jurisdiction. To check for recalls, go to the Web site of the individual agency or to Recalls.gov.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
What: Cars, car seats, tires and vehicle equipment
Online form
Call: (888) 327-4236

Consumer Product Safety Commission
What: Consumer products (toys, baby products, grills and more)
Online form
Online form for drywall complaints
Call: (800) 638-2772
E-mail: info@cpsc.gov

Food and Drug Administration
What: Foods, medicines, cosmetics, and medical devices
Medical: Online form for drugs regulated by the FDA

Non-meat food (cereal, fish, produce, nuts, cheese):
Call: (301) 443-1240 (emergency); (800) 535-4555 (non-emergency)
Or the consumer complaint coordinator in your state.

Pet food:
Call: The consumer complaint coordinator in your state.

Restaurant food:
Call: The health department in your state.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
What:Foodborne illness
Call: (800) 232-4636)
And your local health department.

USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service
What: Meat, poultry or egg products
Call: (888) 674-6854

The bottom line is, they are taking money from people on the plan and not paying on claims, Holland said. Some plan buyers say the company has paid on smaller claims like routine check ups, only to turn around and reject larger claims like emergency room visits.

Here is an advertisement for the plan:

Notice all of the Americana and emotional references in the ad? Here is an “informercial” about ATA as well.

Look for lots of documents and another story on ATA in The Oklahoman and on www.newsok.com this weekend.

And for those looking to buy insurance in the near future, the state Insurance Department encourages all consumers to call and confirm that any company or insurance agent offering insurance or insurance-like products is properly licensed to do business. Call the Oklahoma Insurance Department consumer hot line at (800) 522-0071 or visit  www.oid.ok.gov.

The Watchdog Team received a phone call today from a 71-year-old woman who wanted to make sure no one fell for a scam that nearly fooled her.

It  was similar to the so-called Nigerian email scam, but it had a few extra steps and more emotional triggers.

The emailer claimed some foreign government had money waiting for her in an overseas account. The government, however, was informed she was dead by a person claiming to be a relative. The emailing “agency” was verifying this was really the case so they could disburse the funds to the appropriate person.

The amount of money was exhorbitant–$30 million. And the emailer made sure to tell her it was in U.S. currency.

She said something funny during the course of our conversation that caused me to chuckle:

Naturally, I couldn’t answer back if I were dead. But they knew that. They just wanted my information and probably, ultimately, some money from me to get the money from them.

Good thing she was savvy enough not to reply.

I’ve posted a lot on the blog about common online fraud schemes, but I also found a great source for email scams that everyone should read up on. Especially, like our citizen watchdog noted, if you are less experienced with email or know someone who needs to coaching on the subject.

Here is an excerpt from onguardonline.gov.

Some email users have lost money to bogus offers that arrived as spam in their in-box. Con artists are very cunning; they know how to make their claims seem legitimate. Some spam messages ask for your business, others invite you to a website with a detailed pitch. Either way, these tips can help you avoid spam scams:

• Protect your personal information. Share credit card or other personal information only when you’re buying from a company you know and trust.
• Know who you’re dealing with. Don’t do business with any company that won’t provide its name, street address, and telephone number.
• Take your time. Resist any urge to “act now” despite the offer and the terms. Once you turn over your money, you may never get it back.
• Read the small print. Get all promises in writing and review them carefully before you make a payment or sign a contract.
• Never pay for a “free” gift. Disregard any offer that asks you to pay for a gift or prize. If it’s free or a gift, you shouldn’t have to pay for it. Free means free.

Filter Tips: 10 Scams to Screen from Your Email

1. The “Nigerian” Email Scam
2. Phishing
3. Work-at-Home Scams
4. Weight Loss Claims
5. Foreign Lotteries
6. Cure-All Products
7. Check Overpayment Scams
8. Pay-in-Advance Credit Offers
9. Debt Relief
10. Investment Schemes

But you never know who is on the other side of a Craigslist listing. Case in point:

I was perusing home sales and postings on Craigslist this week. I found a cute little house in Oklahoma City for a very reasonable price. The listing included pictures, descriptions of the home and nearly everything but an address. I contacted the listing poster and encountered yet another Craigslist scam.

I’ll outline the scam, just in case you don’t want to read the email exchanges. 

• The scammer finds an old Craigslist posting with real information or scours the internet for a rental listing on another site.
• The scammer posts a detailed listing on Craigslist.
• When you contact the person who posted the listing on Craigslist, someone emails you back pretending to be the person whose name was listed with the rental in the past.
• The scammer gives you a way-too-detailed account of how he is in another country and wants to entrust his home to you.
• He asks you to fill out an easy application (of course, you’ll be approved.)
• Then, the shyster asks you to send a rental deposit. Via Western Union, of course.

I know most people would never send a person in another country money for a home they’ve never seen, but certainly there are people falling for this.

Here is the email exchange. (It is kind of funny, and I enjoyed stringing them along.)

Rick Marfil [mailto:rickmarfil@ymail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 12:34 PM
To:Vallery Brown
Subject: Re: $800 / 3br – 3BR/2BA Single Family House For Rent (Oklahoma City, OK)

— On Tue, 7/14/09, Vallery Brown wrote:

From: Vallery Brown
Subject: RE: $800 / 3br – 3BR/2BA Single Family House For Rent (Oklahoma City, OK)
To: “Rick Marfil” <rickmarfil@ymail.com>
Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2009, 8:14 PM

Rick,

I am very anxious to get this process started…….. Could you please email me back with what you need to get this started? Also, can I mail the application form and whatever else you need?

Thank you.

From:Rick Marfil [mailto:rickmarfil@ymail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 4:14 PM
To:Vallery Brown
Subject: RE: $800 / 3br – 3BR/2BA Single Family House For Rent (Oklahoma City, OK)

IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED I WILL WANT YOU TO FILL THE
RENT APPLICATION FORM.

From:Rick Marfil [mailto:rickmarfil@ymail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 6:59 PM
To:Vallery Brown
Subject: APPLICATION ACCEPTED….CALL ME ASAP

Thanks for getting back to me with the Rent Application Form. I just wanted to let you know that we have  decided to let you live in our house. As we have found your application very satisfactory and acceptable by my family.  So we would want you to go through this email and get back to us on what you feel so we could proceed in renting the house to you.We would like to send the following documents and keys to you via FedExto the address you sent to us and the tracking number will be sent to you so that you can possibly occupy our house, Please once again, we are giving you this on trust and do not dissapoint us and i promise you that, you will love the house  so we are with the below document and keys here with us.. You will need to make Payment for the first ($800) to enable shippment of the Keys and document to the address you  have to provide to us, afterwhich you could move in at your convenience. The rent starts counting when you move in, so you could go ahead with the payment straight away to make things faster….Here are the contents of the document that needs to be sent.after the deposit of ($500) i will have to send you the laese agrrement form so that you can sign for prove and send back to me asap.
 
1) Entrance and the rooms Keys
2) Paper/Permanent house form
3) The house documetary file.
4) Full Description of the house
5) Payment Receipt
 
All i need now is for you to make the deposit of ($500) so that the keys and documents can be send to the address you send to me in your rent applications form, so get back to me asap.so next time you will be getting back to is on how you will be making the payment via western union
i will be looking forward to your reply.
 
Thanks And God Bless You.

From:Rick Marfil [mailto:rickmarfil@ymail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 7:10 PM
To:Vallery Brown
Subject: WESTERN UNION INFORMATION GET BACK TO ME ASAP

Below is the information on how you are to make the payment to my shipping agent from the shipping company..
 
Attn;Vallery Brown
 
Thanks for your response…All you need to do now  is to send the month which is $500 which is the Month to the underlisted informations of my shipping agent which is from my shipping agent company so you are to send the money  through Western Union in order for him to be able to send the keys and other documents to you via FedEx…Please i want you to note that i am taking this bold step of sending you the keys based on trust and i really hope you wont let me down…. i am just coming back from the FEDEX company and i told them everthing they said no problem that as soon as the payment is comfirm that they are going to send the keys the next day…
 
below is his information from FEDEX
 
RECEIVER’S NAME:RICHARD LEWIS
 
ADDRESS: 142 VICTORIA ISLAND RD
 
STATE: EDO
 
COUNTRY: NIGERIA
 
CITY;BENIN
 
ZIP CODE: 23401
 
TEST QUESTION: WHO MADE YOU ?
 
ANSWER: GOD..
 
 
AMOUNT SENT : $500
 
ALSO GET BACK TO ME WHEN PAYMENT IS BEEN MADE WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATIONS
 
SENDERS NAME……………..?
 
SENDERS ADDRESS………………………?
 
AMOUNT……….$500
 
MTCN#………………………………..?
 
TEST QUESTION…………..AS INSTRUSTED ABOVE
 
ANSWER…………………….AS INSTRUCTED ABOVE
 
as soon as you have maked the payment today  Kindly get back to me with the 10 digits MTCN (money transfer control number) given to you at Western Union after you have made the payment today,and also the Sender’s full name and address so that he  can immediately arrange for the delivery of keys to you through FedEx next day delivery…..I will instruct you on how to make the monthly rent payment to me after you have moved in,and concerning the utilities,that will be taken care of by me every month so you need not to worry about that because the rent paid already covers that……Have a very wonderful day and your prompt response is awaited…….
 
Remain Blessed,

Thanks And God Bless You.

— On Wed, 7/15/09, Vallery Brown wrote:

From: Vallery Brown
Subject: RE: WESTERN UNION INFORMATION GET BACK TO ME ASAP
To: “Rick Marfil” <rickmarfil@ymail.com>
Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2009, 12:15 AM

Ok. I will do that tonight or tomorrow and get back to you.

If I have any problem while I am there, is there a way I can have them call you from Western Union?

From:Rick Marfil [mailto:rickmarfil@ymail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 7:33 PM
To:Vallery Brown
Subject: RE: WESTERN UNION INFORMATION GET BACK TO ME ASAP

Stamina-RX

The Food and Drug Administration and the company Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals Monday announced the voluntary recall of the supplement Stamina-RX.

Consumers are urged to stop using the product and to contact the FDA and the manufacturer with any adverse effects from the supplement.

The FDA’s lab in May found an undeclared ingredient in the supplement. The chemical, called benzamidenafil, is included in the same class of drugs as those used to treat erectile dysfunction.

The chemical is not FDA approved and could pose a threat to individuals taking certain medications for high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and heart disease.

According to the FDA, Stamina-Rx is not generally recognized as safe and effective for use under the conditions prescribed, recommended, or suggested in its labeling.

The labeling at issue was advertising primarily done through Web sites and print media.

For more information and contact info click here .

For more information about supplements, go to this article by the Mayo Clinic.

A great clearinghouse for the most recent recalls announced by businesses and government agencies is just a click away.

Recalls.gov

Now you can keep track of the latest recalls of cosmetics, food, vehicles, medicines and other consumer products.

And feel free to share with us any of your helpful Web sites!

Health officials are advising people to stop using water-based face paint distributed by a Nebraska company after some children suffered rashes, itchiness and swelling.

Several colors of face paint were voluntarily recalled by Fun Express Inc., a subsidiary of Oriental Trading Co. of Omaha. It was distributed nationwide.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration received reports of a cluster of adverse reactions at an event at an undisclosed location.

Tests showed “significant microbial contamination” in the face paint, which was manufactured in China.

Madelaine Base gets her face painted at a carnival at Truman Elementary School in Norman on May 8. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman.

The FDA is urging people to discard the recalled paint or return it to the retailer where it was purchased. 

The agency also is asking people or health care providers to report any problems with the recalled face paint.