Specialist · Dallas, TX · Member since 2010 · 511 posts · 252 votes
Hi,
International tenant (From UK) is interested in renting my property. He is coming to US for 1 year for comapny related work. His company provides deposit and first month rent... how to screen this tenatn as he doens not have any Social Security.
Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
15y
99.999999% sure this is a "check scam". If you agree to go forward, "his company" will send you a check for the deposit and first month's rent. Uh oh, the company will cut the check to you to include his "moving expenses". You'll get the check and deposit it. Then, he will ask you to wire back the "moving expenses". You do. A couple of weeks later, the check is found to be fake and your bank debits it back out of your account. You've just been scammed out of the moving expenses.
If you want to get to the bottom of this, tell him to contact you when he arrives and if the property is still available, you will show it to him.
If you want to string him along, give him the info. When the whole "wire me some money back" thing comes up (it will), tell him your bank holds international checks for four weeks. Tell him once it clears, you'll get the money back to him.
Google "419 baiters" to learn more about these scammers.
When you post your rentals on craigslist, include "Absolutely no responses to e-mails. If you're interested, CALL ME." And write out part of your phone number in words.
Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
15y
If you got an e-mail response like this from a craigs list ad, it a scam. Especially if they tell you they want to pay you up front and then they will arrive later.
If someone has actually showed up, looked at the place and wants to rent it, then perhaps its a legitimate deal. There's nothing much you can do to screen the tenant as far as criminal background or eviction history. I would try to verify income from the company and I would try to get residence history and make some calls to the UK (skype is your friend) to verify that history.
Specialist · Dallas, TX · Member since 2010 · 511 posts · 252 votes
15y
Yes,
I received response on Craigslist and he is asking for name and address to send First month deposit and rent..!! and he provides me his company's address and phone number with general manager's name for verification. I tried to find that comapny but unable to find on web.
We are in back & forth conversation since last 2-3 days and he is planning to come US for same car parts...
Real Estate Investor · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2011 · 119 posts · 59 votes
15y
I bet he's not even located in the UK. I bet his "general manager" is his cousin "Mr. Wilson" from Nigeria. I also bet you he'll be asking you for you bank account so he "deposit" the money, looks like a scam so be careful.
But there's no way to do the normal screening procedures, if there's a company that can verify his employment status and back up his story, you can get some information to help you with your decision but somehow I doubt it.
Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
15y
99.999999% sure this is a "check scam". If you agree to go forward, "his company" will send you a check for the deposit and first month's rent. Uh oh, the company will cut the check to you to include his "moving expenses". You'll get the check and deposit it. Then, he will ask you to wire back the "moving expenses". You do. A couple of weeks later, the check is found to be fake and your bank debits it back out of your account. You've just been scammed out of the moving expenses.
If you want to get to the bottom of this, tell him to contact you when he arrives and if the property is still available, you will show it to him.
If you want to string him along, give him the info. When the whole "wire me some money back" thing comes up (it will), tell him your bank holds international checks for four weeks. Tell him once it clears, you'll get the money back to him.
Google "419 baiters" to learn more about these scammers.
When you post your rentals on craigslist, include "Absolutely no responses to e-mails. If you're interested, CALL ME." And write out part of your phone number in words.