Beware of legitimate looking emails coming from msn/live/hotmail addresses! I got a very similarly worded email and when going through with giving them my address, they sent me an email looking like it came from move.com - so MOVE.COM is another website being used!
Here are the email exchanges I got from a Nancy Hughes at
hughes.nancy02@gmail.com Happy to hear of your interest. I live in London most of the time and I've decided to rent this apartment. The typical rent range for an apartment in this area of town (1600 Sand Hill Road Palo Alto, CA 94304) is between $2,000.00 and $2,500.00/month. I'm asking only $1,000/month with all utilities included because I need a serious and trust worthy person who not only will pay me the rent on time but also will take care and preserve my property.
I was looking to rent the apartment for at least six months, but I'm flexible, so please let me know your thoughts.
I decided to rent the apartment through Move.com, a company, whose service we'll use to carry out the transaction. Move.com has the possession of all the necessary documents (rental contract, proof of ownership...) and apartment keys. If you want to learn more about how this Move.com service works, let me know.
Thank you,
I sent back:
Hi Nancy,
I would be interested! I was wondering which apartment you are referring to, as I don't remember off the top of my head...could you send me a description and whether it's furnished? Also, I'm afraid I can only rent for the period mid-June to mid-Sept, but will be able to take care of your property and pay the rent on time no problem.
Thank you so much,
Then got:
I'm ok with your lease terms. The apartment is completely furnished, washer/dryer in unit, very clean, ready for you to move in. If you have your own furniture we will find a way to empty the apartment so you can bring your own things. If we decide to proceed with this transaction, i will have to forward your info at Move.com, so they can start the process right away. You will receive a notification from Move.com shortly after that, together with all the instructions to follow.
Regarding the payment, you will be instructed how to deposit 3 months advance rent payment,which means $3,000, to a Move.com account. Move.com will hold and insure your money until you check the apartment and decide if you want take it or not. If you decide to rent the apartment, 2 months rent payment will be sent back to you and one month rent will be sent to me. That is how their renter protection policy works. As far as my concerns, I will be glad to know that Move.com has the possession of the money during the transaction period. That is my insurance.. I require the payment in advance at Move.com because my time is very limited, I don't want to end up paying Move.com for this service without any result. I'm sick of tire-kickers, people who are just looking around and not serious about renting.
If you're OK with my terms and you wish to proceed please forward me your full name and address and I will pass them onto Move.com. They will contact you with payment instructions in order to secure the deposit. A Move.com Agent will deliver the keys and rental contract to you in person so you can inspect the apartment. If you will decide to pass and start looking for another place, Move.com will return you the money 100%, as I will be supporting the fees. Though I am sure you will love the apartment, it is good to know that you do have this second option available.
Hope to hear from you soon,
WORD FOR WORD!
I sent:
Hello - sorry about all the questions, but what is the floor plan of the apartment? Is this a studio apartment, 1 bedroom, etc, and are there other rooms, including kitchen(ette) or living room?
Thanks again,
THEY DIDN'T EVEN SEND ME A FLOORPLAN! I felt really stupid for falling for this...
She sent:
It's a 2 bedroom apartment, 2 bathrooms, 1 kitchen, 1 living room.
I totally regret this, but I sent my info to the scammer:
Thanks so much! So here is my information:
Mailing Address
Cell phone number (although my phone is not working terribly well lately so I miss a lot of calls):
But here's the scariest part:
Hi,
I have sent your info at Move.com.
They will send you an e-mail notification which contains all the instructions to secure the deposit.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you,
and the email supposedly from Move.com!!!!!!!!!!
Move.com® - The leader in online real estate
Note: This email has been automatically generated by Move.com®.
Welcome to Move.com!
Transaction ID - BT33904C55P45
First Step? How it works ?
The owner delivers the package with the keys and contract lease to Move.com agents for full evaluation of content. The package will remain in the company custody until the receiver will send the payment to us.
After verifying the funds, Move.com is ready to ship the package to the designated address.
Note : The funds will not be released under any circumstances. We will hold the payment until you will send us your confirmation that you have received, inspected and you agree to keep the apartment. When we will have your confirmation we will transfer the funds to the owner.
Address Information:
Ship To:
*****deleted my info here*******
Shipper:
First name: NANCY
Last name: HUGHES
Address : 6 Catherine St
City/State: London
Postal Code: WC2B 5JJ
Country : United Kingdom
Package Information:
Package Details:
Apartment keys and rental contract verified and signed by the Sender. Owner of the apartment in:
1600 Sand Hill Road Palo Alto, CA 94304
Amount insured:
US $3,000.00 (2/3 will be sent to you at the end of this transaction and 1/3 will be sent to the owner)
Tracking#
BT33904C55P45
Next Step? Complete payment !
Pay with cash ( $ 3000 ) at any Money Gram Office using the Move.com Agent's payment details:
Jackson Little, 60, Camberwell Grove, London, SE5 8RE , United Kingdom
Send us a copy of the payment receipt by email or simply send us the following Money Gram information: Ref #, sender's full name and address, receiver's full name, total amount you've sent.
Emails us the payment details :
move-inc@live.com Send us a copy of the payment receipt by fax : 206-338-6610
Find an Agent location near you. You must go to a Money Gram office with cash and make a Money Transfer to the name and address of our agent.You must complete a form there. You must write there the agent's name, location, amount. You must declare it a personal transfer at the Money Gram office, otherwise you will not be able to send the money.
Money Gram is the only service that has ultimate authentication of the identity of the receiver of funds. The funds will be hold in escrow until you receive the package and confirm that you want to rent the apartment.
Safe Move.com Tip
Currently, the owner has a $10,000 deposit in an Move.com managed purchase protection account. Transactions with this owner are covered by purchase protection against fraud and description errors.
Move.com repeatedly tries to encourage the other party to respond to a case, but we cannot fully guarantee participation, since the process is completely voluntary. If the respondent does not reply within one week from when the case was initially filed, it is unlikely that you will receive a response and we will close the case and refund you with the entire amount insured by the buyer protection policy valid for your case. If we hear from the other party after the case closes, we will reopen the case and notify you.You are buying from a legit owner so if something goes wrong or you are not satisfied with the apartment you will receive your money back in max 24 hours.
Move.com® Team
http://www.move.comIf you have any queries regarding this message, contact our Move.com Live Help Team.
move-inc@live.com Copyright © 2009 Move.com, Inc. All rights reserved. Move.com® is a registered trademark of
it's own, Other trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners.
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AHHH!! SO MADDD!!!!! But no one has gotten any more trouble afterwards if they don't send money right? I was sooo suspicious after they asked for a money gram order to this overseas person. It's so messed up!