This Orland Rental House Ad Is A Lesson In Online Scams

ORLAND PARK, IL — Maybe your newlywed son needs a starter home until he gets on his feet. Or maybe you want to move your mother nearby. So you scour online ads and see something like this: "$725 / 3br - ***Centrally located to multiple parks, metra lines, and interstate ac." It's cheap. So much space. A coveted zip code. Perfect...maybe a little too perfect. Is it too good to be true?

You betcha.

Classified ads containing housing scams are worming their way into Orland Park and the south suburbs, threatening to steal the hard-earned cash you set aside for your deposit payment.

If you see them, "run in the other direction," said Orland Park Police Commander Anthony Farrell.

But if you fell for one, you're not alone. Farrell said several people have reported that they lost money to fraudulent rentals in Orland, although it doesn't happen frequently. Across the nation, about 5.2 million renters fall victim to these scams, losing on average, $1,000 — typically from deposit payments — according to a 2018 report from Apartment List. About 43 percent of all renters, it estimates, have seen such ads during their online searches.

In Orland, Farrell said the police investigate each report, but tracking the culprit is tough. The ads tend to disappear within 24 hours and nearly all of them lead to an overseas transaction.

At that point, he said, "you're not getting your money back."

Consider this ad posted July 3o on an Orland Park section of Craigslist:

The person who answered the email, "James Chen WILSON," said that he and his wife need to rent the house at 8611 W. 167th Pl. in Orland Park immediately because they are missionaries with SIM International, a Christian organization, and have been sent to "NC" for 3 or 4 years. He just couldn't sell the house with the market the way it is, he said, so never mind the "For Sale" sign in front because it's for rent only. Oh — don't contact the Realtor, either.

"I want you to understand that I spent a lot on my property that you have requested to rent, so I will solicit for your absolute maintenance of this house and would want you to treat it as your own because cleanliness they say is next to Godliness," he wrote. "It is not all about the money to be paid on rent or spent; it is all about a good maintenance culture which I want you to adopt on the property."

The house, he claimed, has everything: "Air Conditioning, Patio/Party Deck, Cable TV, Ceiling Fans, 24 hours Internet service, Dishwasher, Fireplace, Garbage Disposal, Microwave, security alarm, Pets Friendly, Refrigerator, Washer / Dryer." All for $725 a month.

All you have to do is fill out the application inside the body of the email — which also asks how soon you can pay a deposit and asks for your picture.

But guess what? It's not real. The house at 8611 W. 167th Place is not the house in the ad's photo, and it is not for sale.

"James Chen WILSON" also does not exist — at least not with SIM, anyway.

"We do not have anyone in our database by that name," a spokesperson with SIM said in an email. "We have had problems in the past with people using SIM as a scam. We are not connected to this in any way."

WILSON did not return calls or answer requests to meet in person. However, a person claiming to be him answered in a text message: "Hello how are you doing today and family? I missed your calls, I will like to know who this is and what can I do for you. God bless you [sic]"

Slick.

Some, however, may not be so obvious. So how can you tell a real ad from a fake?

There are plenty of red flags to look for, Farrell said. A legitimate landlord will meet with you. If he resists, back off.

Also, do some research. Google addresses to see if the house or apartment you want to rent turns up on real estate listings. Some scammers may be trying to rent you a house for sale and does not belong to them. You can also search the names and phone numbers in the ad with terms such as "fraud" or "scam." You might find discussion boards that have people talking about the same entity you're dealing with, Farrell said.

In this case, for example, a search for "amazinggrace670@gmail.com" showed similar listings in other parts of the state — although the links have since been flagged and removed.

Farrell also warned to never click on links embedded in an email response to your inquiry, and to never submit your personal information, including social security numbers, through these emails or email forms — even for background checks, particularly ones you have to pay for. In these cases, the person could be looking to take the money and run. Some also work with background-check agencies and get kickbacks for clients they recruit, Farrell said.

Renters, too, should be wary if they're asked to wire money anywhere. Pay in check or cashier's check, which most landlords will request for a deposit.

"Guard your money," he said.

Finally, trust your gut.

"If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is," Farrell said.