Rental Scam

There are tons of scams on the web and one in particular that I want you to be aware of.  I have a listing for a home that is for sale.  This listing has shown up on Craigslist as being for rent.  The scammers have poached the listing pictures and written up an ad on Craigslist.  When you email them for more information you recieve the following response...

"Thanks for your interest and inquiries about my house. Yes the house is still available for rent and we are looking for a responsible person/family to occupy and maintain the house now that we are not around. Myself and husband just traveled to West Africa on an evangelical mission involving in several projects like TEACHING AND  EDUCATING CHILDREN ABOUT CHRIST, ORPHANAGE HOMES and so on..,Here is the site (http://www.missionfinder.org/educators.html) for more details, the program is taking place in three major countries in Europe, Africa, UK . We will be away for 2 to 3 years or more that is why we have made up my mind to put up my house for rent to whom ever that will take good care of it.  However, our initial plan was to sell the house  but it was not successful because the Realtor raised the price which made it difficult for me to sell before leaving the States so never mind if you see the for sale sign in front of the house, It has already been taken off the market as for sale so there is no need to contact any Realtor. The house is available for both long term and short term so long as you are ready to maintain the house...  How soon do you intend to move in?

Note: I would like you to drive-by the house to view the  exterior and neighborhood  of the house . Get back to me asap so i can forward you the rent questionnaire i will want you to fill

Regards."

The email is then signed with the property owners name so if you checked the tax records it would appear you are dealing with the real owner.  Unfortunately you are not.  They have even tried to explain away why there is a for sale sign in the front yard!  If you fill out the rental questionaire, you have just given away your identity!  If you send them money, it is gone.  I have recieved at least 6 calls from interested renters who drove by and were suspicious enough to call the number on my sign and get more information.  Lucky for them they did, they avoided falling prey to a scam.  I have no way of knowing who else may seen the ad and sent their information and/or money.  Please be careful out there and do your research before sending anyone money or your personal information.  It is sad that we all have to be on our guard but unfortunately we do.