How do I avoid Craigslist real-estate shysters? Added wrinkle: long-distance. [more inside]
posted by xenization on Jul 30, 2012 - 13 answers

I finally got my act together and put my Brooklyn apartment up on Airbnb this morning. I'm a little surprised to be already receiving inquiries, and I realize now I really don't know how to vet these potential renters. For those who have hosted through the site before, what criteria do you use? Is no photo a red flag or is that normal? Is it suspicious or ordinary for them not to have much of a profile filled out? Are there specific questions I should be asking in my initial reply? (Will it make them suspicious if I ask for identifying information?) Are there scams to watch out for? Is there anything you'd add to a listing to head off potential trouble? [more inside]
posted by nobody on Jul 7, 2012 - 11 answers

Okay, so it finally happened. I got hit by a rental scam in LA. Now what? More inside. [more inside]
posted by GilloD on Jan 30, 2012 - 15 answers

I'm pretty damn sure I'm being scammed. Am I? This question regards L.A and the UK [more inside]
posted by ob on Jun 30, 2008 - 25 answers

Renting an apartment on Craigslist - 4 very similar applicants. Is this a scam? [more inside]
posted by bradn on May 1, 2008 - 11 answers

Help me figure out if this is a scam and if so how? We're looking to rent an apartment in NYC and have found somewhere through Craigslist that looks great but the process is complicated by the fact that the potential Landlord is out of the country. He's sent us an email (contents after the jump) on how he proposes getting us the keys and us completing the contract if we like the apartment. I can't see how it's a scam but it smells kind of odd... Mefite detectives, go to it! [more inside]
posted by merocet on Sep 12, 2007 - 23 answers