ATTENTION CUSTOMERS:

Please be aware of an internet scam that some customers have encountered. A potential tenant will overpay you a large sum of money in the form of a cashier's check, and ask for the difference back.

DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY. THE CHECK IS FAKE.

Distant buyer (often from UK) offers a high-value (but fake) cashier's check.

* you receive an odd email offering to rent the property unseen.
* cashier's check is offered as a deposit.
* value of cashier's check often far exceeds deposit amount - buyer asks you to wire the balance via money transfer service
* banks will often cash these fake checks AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE CHECK FAILS TO CLEAR
* scam often involves a 3rd party (shipping agent, business associate owing buyer money, etc)

Who should I notify about fraud?

* FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
* FTC online complaint form (www.ftc.gov)
* Canadian PhoneBusters hotline: 888-495-8501

If you have any questions about this or other questionable activities, please call our customer service center, or visit The Federal Trade Commission's website at:

(www.ftc.gov)
(www.ftc.gov/checkoverpayment)

Example of Scam Email:

Scam reply:

My name is Harriet Duff.I am using this medium to notify you of my interest in renting your apartment or house on behalf of myself and my 2 kids.Im a 2 weeks old widow based in uk, i just recently lost my husband and im planning to move over permanently this Feburary. I would like to book a reservation from Feburary if still avalible you can let me know. i will have a 1 year stay and i will pay fully on my arrival to the states. During this period i can settle down and find a place to stay or if its possible to buy your place. Please let me know the available dates you have for the specified period along with the total charges and i would pay for the deposit and the first month, and if they sound good enough ill get back to you in a flash. Special requirments would be a very clean and healthy enviroment,my kids are quite young. I also would like to ask if you accept Cashiers Cheque as a means of payment through my husbands lawyer so i would need your full name and contact address where to send the payment to. And as for the forms both the agreement and rental it would be upon our arrival i just want to make sure things are soughted out before our arrival. And i hope you do accept cashiers check cos i intent making payment that way.I would really appreciate if you would contact me through this email if you can be of help to some in any way.Thanks and have a wonderful day. Happy new year.


Regards,

Harriet.