As the new year approaches, you may be looking for a new place to live. During my search, I encountered a scam – here’s what I learned.
SAN DIEGO — The Craigslist apartment listing seemed too good to be true.
It was in the exact complex I had been searching for in North Park, and for half the price of any other listing I had seen. It even had all utilities included.
That was the first red flag.
I reached out to the person late at night, and they responded within minutes.
They asked the usual questions I expected: Do I have any pets? Have I ever been evicted? When would I want to move in?
Then I was told they are looking for a long-term tenant as their wife had been diagnosed with cancer. An explanation that didn’t quite make sense. But I was very interested in the apartment, so I overlooked the second red flag.
Then they started talking about the money.
All I needed to pay was a $75 application fee through Zelle, a online money transfer service, and I would receive the keys. It was that simple — and it was the third red flag. That one finally made me suspicious.
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