Got this response from notepads.com, definitely sounds like a scam:
Thanks for contacting me about our lovely home, our house is still available for rent we request first month rent and security deposit fee before move in, also you can go check out the house I believe you have address and if you like the house then you can write us back or call me for more details I can be reached at (937) 589-1519 I have recently moved to Stamford CT and took a job with Rich Cable, I just want you to get notice that the keys are here with me in Stamford CT you can only view the house from the outside for now! If you drive by the house you may see a sign there, you have nothing to worry about it belongs to our previous agent so you have absolutely nothing to worry about and you don't have to call them because they do not have access to the house anymore! I did not entrust the place in the care of any agent or anyone because i want deal directly with the tenant myself because of the last experience i had with my tenant.
I tried to look for an agent that I could believe and trust to give the document & the keys before I left but could not find any as a matter of urgency. And I don't want the place to be misused in my absence that is why I took the keys and documents along with me and renting this place will give you access to the rest of the property and you won' t have no one to share anything with. So I hope you will promise me to take very good care of the property when you move in..
In other to proceed on sending the keys and document to you, I'll like to know few things about you and your family such as below
Here is the address of the house (20 Washburn Street, East Weymouth, MA 02189)
PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
Full Name__________________________________________________ Home Phone ( ) ________________________
Date of Birth_________________________________
Other Phone ( ) ___________________
Current Address_______________________________Apt#________ City__________________ State______ Zip________
Reasons for Leaving____________________________Rent $__________Phone ( ) ____________________________
Are you married____________________________
How many people will be living in the house____________________________
Do you have a pet____________________________
Do you have a car____________________________
Occupation____________________________
Move In Date________________________How Long Did You Want To Stay________________________
I'm requesting for one month with $900 security deposit upfront ( Are you ready to pay upfront to move in?)
Please have this in mind that you are talking to a very nice and good family, if you find any of our question inconvenience please don't be offended but answer it because we want and like to know the kind of family that will be living in our house from day one so nothing from them will be strange to us again thanks for the time and energy writing me, My regards to your family. For more inquiries, Here is my cell phone number, call or text me ASAP (937) 589-1519
I saw a house on Hot Pads in my area. I sent a request to schedule a time to look at it. This is what I got:
Thanks for your interest in the house. I must confess that I am very new in this landlord business. However my name is Lee Shawn Marie, I own the house. Due to my volunteering work with Catholic Mission Organization. I have been transfer to Stamford CT. You can check our missionary website:(http://catholicvolunteernetwork.org). I spent less time in the States,but this time around i will be spending the next 4-7years in Stamford CT, so I could not get a good terms on any Realtor to handle this rent issue. However, the initial plan was to put the house on the market has For sale, which I did through MLS (MULTI LEASING SERVICES), but the asking price from interested buyer's are too poor,so i have change to plan 'B' that is renting out the property this time around, I am telling you this in case if you find the house on another website, that is the old ads because of this reason and more we need a responsible person that can take very good care of it as his/her own. Our home is available now for rent at $700 with a security deposit of $700 including the Utilities like electricity and Internet connection only. I want to let you know that money is not our problem but what we are looking for is absolute care of the home when you move in into the home, We are looking out for someone that can always keep the home clean and tidy. So please I want you to standby on the lease agreement you will sign with us. We are kind and honest Family, we don't like disappointing people and we don't want anyone to disappoint us, We spent a lot on our house that we want to give to you for rent, Once again we are not after the money, but want it to be clean and for you to take care of it as if it were yours. Pet are allowed.
============================== ======= followed by a rental application form.
Please have this in mind that you are talking to a very nice and good family, if you find any of our question inconvenience please don't be offended but answer it because we want and like to know the kind of family that will be living in our house from day one so nothing from them will be strange to us again thanks for the time and energy writing me, My regards to your family. For more inquiries, Here is my cell phone number, call or text me ASAP (937) 589-1519
Regards and God bless.
Lee Shawn Marie.
I got this today - I sent it Sunday. But in the meantime, since I had just been treated as a fool for another house on Hot Pads I searched Hot Pads "for sale" houses too. Lo and behold, there was that bad baby listed with a local agent. I called them and the house is indeed listed. I asked if it was for rent and they said no. I told them about the rental on Hot Pads and they were going to contact Hot Pads and get it taken off. As you can see, this phone number is indeed the same ones contacting you. Any time you get this number be WARY.
My other scam this week was from someone in New York (supposedly)
this was for a house in the about the same area as the other one. Another house that was on Hot Pads. This house too had a for sale sign in the yard. The number for this scam is 585-969-6755. As you can see the wording of their emails are almost identical and would not be surprised if it is the same person.
Thanks for your mail. Since we are not in South Bend now, I want you to drive by and see the surrounding first and get back to me so that I can make an arrangement on how to mail the keys and all relevant documents to your current home address.
Just a little about us: We are blessed with two children my daughter is married and my step son is in college. I am a civil engineer and also a part-time pastor and I am here to oversee a new project in New York. My wife is sick at the moment and we are praying for her healing. We are devoted Christians and blessed family. Tell us more about yourself.
My wife and I are not really looking to rent our home for commercial reasons, we just need a responsible person or family to take care of our home. You can rent house for as long as you want since we will be staying here for a long while.
Let us know when you want me to email the application to you. My wife and I have to be satisfied with your application, then give our approval before accepting payment from you.
Looks like being religious is a requirement for these scam artists! Don't fall for anything with the phone number of 585-969-6755