Beware of bogus ads for cars, real estate
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It's the apartment you've been looking for -- inexpensive, recently renovated, ideal location, off-street parking and on a bus route.
What a great deal.
Maybe not.
Who placed the ad?
Yes, it looks legitimate. But suppose someone lifted the ad from a reputable real estate listing and "cut and pasted" it onto his ad to help himself to your money.
And suppose that person has a "sob" story to accompany his bogus ad so you'll let down your guard and wire him some money to cover the first month's rent and security deposit?
"We've received complaints from all over the Commonwealth about these types of ads," said Nils Frederiksen, a spokesman for Attorney General Tom Corbett. "We've heard from consumers as well as real estate professionals who understandably are upset about crooks posing as them."
When reports of a large-scale scam come into the Bureau of Consumer Protection, the bureau relays them to Mr. Corbett, a news release is prepared and the media are asked to help notify the public.
In this case, what started out as a warning about online apartment ads was expanded to include online ads for rental homes, auctions for cars, motorcycles and other items and a variety of "for sale" online ads.
"Internet classified ads and auction websites are popular tools for bargain-hunters searching for low prices and good deals," Mr. Corbett said in the news release. "Unfortunately, scam artists have found it equally easy to use this technology to prey on consumers."
He said scam artists are really only interested in two things -- "getting you to respond quickly and convincing you to send them money. Everything they say or do is going to be focused on getting their hands on your money as quickly as possible."
He said the bogus ads, which may include photos and vehicle identification numbers, often use "extremely low prices and sympathetic stories" to encourage consumers to respond immediately and to reduce suspicion.
First Published February 11, 2010 12:00 am
