Dissecting a Rental Scam Email

There are commonalities with all rental scam emails. Below are some tips when dissecting a rental scam email.

Does the email start out with Sir / Madam?
Are there misspellings in the email?
Are there character mistakes in the email? i.e Hello,my nameis Susie.
Is there excessive capitalization?
Does the email reference God, UK, Cashiers Check, Doctor, Nigeria, Reverend, etc.
Is the email from a free email provider. i.e gmail, yahoo, aol, hotmail.
Does the email refer to another person or agent?
Does the email reference wanting to move in site unseen?

If the email has a majority of these commonalities, then the chances are very good it is a scammer. If you are unsure, it is best to not reply to the email.

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Great site! I would also add if the renter wants to send you a cashier’s check or money order for payment, and it is for more than the agreed on amount, and you are supposed to wire that “overage” to someone then it is a scam.

Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of ScamVictimsUnited.com
There is strength in numbers!

Connect with us through
http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch

Comment by scamvictimsunited— April 19, 2009 #

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Vacation rentals of south florida is a company to be aware of.They take your deposit and then demand more than agreed to.If you dont comply they keep your deposit .Its seems thats there shake and they squeeze you just before you leave.buyer beware

Comment by carlo— December 1, 2011 #

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