Lawrence family nearly victims of Craigslist scam
Lawrence - A Lawrence family was searching Craigslist for affordable housing, so when they stumbled upon a four-bedroom home for $900 a month in Eudora, they immediately contacted the seller. The family asked not to be identified. The exchanged multiple emails trying to iron out the rental agreement, but when the seller, who said she was from Africa, asked for a $1,400 deposit to be sent by wire transfer, they started to get suspicious.
They went to the house listed as available for rent, in the 1300 block of Hickory in Eudora, to find that a family already lived there. The Pattersons own the home and are trying to sell the property. They had no idea someone was using a real estate listing to scam innocent people. “What can I do about it; not too much,” Harry Patterson said.
He says two families have attempted to rent his home, replying to the Craigslist ad.
Better Business Bureau warns people to be cautious. “If it’s too good and falls in your lap, look at it, double check and trust your instinct,” Roberta Namee said, BBB. She says you should verify the seller’s physical address and phone number before you buy. Namee also suggests you buy locally. If you have to wire transfer funds to make your purchase, you probably shouldn’t send the money. “Once the person’s picked up the money, it’s gone,” she said. “You’re left with nothing.”
Luckily, at least one of the Lawrence family’s that responded to the ad did not send money. They say they hope no one else falls victim to this scam.