Is this legit?

Submitted by Key_Performer_6012 t3_125coh2 in jerseycity

Guys, I found an apartment for rent at Grove street via FB marketplace rentals. The landlady asked me to email her attorney for an application form to get the procedure started. The attorney/ management is now asking for a 100$ fee to start the application process and is saying a tour of the apartment is possible only when the fee is paid. If I don’t like the apartment after the tour, the money will be refunded. I have never heard of this system before. Is it legit or some sort of scam? Need help!

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Key_Performer_6012 OP t1_je3ojcw wrote

https://preview.redd.it/xxvu7ul8dnqa1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=ebaf4cd4744a1445578e87e5c1a3356590242a4a

Look at how restless the landlady is getting. I’m getting convinced that this is a scam

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Imaginary_Push8953 t1_je6misj wrote

Why would you scratch out her name? Let other redditors be aware so they don’t fall into the same scam with her

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goddam_sachs t1_je4gmna wrote

Needing to pay a fee to just view the apartment? SCAM.

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ihatetictoc t1_je4bb53 wrote

I would walk away from this.

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Awt5 t1_je4iaxu wrote

Most likely scam. Do reverse image search of the apartment photos that were posted. You might find where those photos were taken from. Also you can ask for the address of the management company and just go there.

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Technical-Monk-2146 t1_je4rkob wrote

Scam. And the “attorney’s “ aggressive tone is a huge red flag.

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LiveFromTheEmbassy t1_je4mlz9 wrote

I’d want this correspondence via email or something anyway, not on FB. The medium alone sounds like a red flag TBH

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BeMadTV t1_je4bsln wrote

What's the address of the apartment?

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franciswilliambird t1_je57xo6 wrote

I looked at an apt once that had a big sign on the door that said "if you saw this on facebook marketplace that was a scam" what happened was they copied the apartment ad but cut the price by half and had people pay to "apply" and then pocketed the money. Never pay to see an apartment.

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chillychews t1_je4zyl0 wrote

Lol I talked to a landlady like this last year when I was searching too. Definitely a scam. No one should be charging you to VIEW an apartment

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SoundMachineJC t1_je4iq6y wrote

Wonder if there is a number on the below link to call and ask if legit or tell them what is being done so they can investigate…stop the scammer.

OFFICE OF LANDLORD/ TENANT RELATIONS

https://www.jerseycitynj.gov/cityhall/HousingAndDevelopment/housingpreservation/landlordtenantrelations

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haiduz t1_je7k7mc wrote

chances are that the scammer is in some different country where this local government office has zero jurisdiction

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Vegetable_River t1_je531ov wrote

Send a link to the scam apartment. I'm so curious to see if the ad looks legit. I may be looking to move when my lease is up in a few months. Would be nice to see what to look for

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chazthetic t1_je57j0m wrote

100% a scam. It's always the other way around, tour, then application

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Onlytheonethatlived t1_je4pzad wrote

What they are asking for to just show the apartment is illegal. Unfortunately this happens a lot. Report them to the police too. In recent years these kind of scams seem to be on the rise in JC, be careful

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Lostinlingo t1_je4qpbl wrote

I arrived from India last August and interacted with many such lamdladies and lords with attorneys 😂 most places require 20-50 usd application fee Anything above that is red flag

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OkPersonality7635 t1_je4zzvq wrote

Yes these lambladies are relentless… bleating for erroneous fees.

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lonewolfandpub t1_je523z7 wrote

i believe you meant to say they're bleating folks dry with all those extra fees.

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WooliesWhiteLeg t1_je5wjf6 wrote

You’ll have to pay $100 to view my answer to your question

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shootthemoon88 t1_je5jeoj wrote

Scam scam scam. Never pay anything before you see it

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HobokenJ t1_je6gjaw wrote

Sca-a-a-a-a-a-a-am
Sca-a-a-a-a-a-a-am
Sca-a-a-a-a-a-a-am
Sca-a-a-a-a-a-a-am

Lovely Scam! (Lovely Scam!)
Lovely Scam! (Lovely Scam!)
Lovely Scam!

Scam, Scam, Scam, Scam!

3

Amber2408 t1_je73dgc wrote

“Why are you not responding?” Desperate Scammers.

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Accomplished_Day2991 t1_je4phsx wrote

Yeah and even if it’s not, are these people you would want to rent from? But probably a scam.

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7ave_dude t1_je7bcwy wrote

So did you send any personal info like SSN, DOB, that's the scary part

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Blecher_onthe_Hudson t1_je5mk87 wrote

It could be worse. I've heard stories about people driving up with all their possessions to move in to a house they've rented over the internet sight unseen only to find it was a scam and the owner has no idea who they are! Who would do that???

Speaking as a landlord, I think application fees are scandalous. Given a year's lease is at least $20,000, I'm willing to eat the $30 that it costs me to run credit on a couple. It's just a cost of doing business even if someone ghosts me afterwards, as has happened. The pre-qualifying application system on Zillow does seem pretty fair however.

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Background-Basis2147 t1_je6s762 wrote

Scam bro, don’t trust anything on fb lol it’s scam central now just like when they ask for your zelle info and gonna have someone else pick it up tell them you’ll request the money and see how fast they leave 😂

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knlshh t1_je7ibtc wrote

Scam scam scam

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BoulevardDrinks t1_je7l8k4 wrote

Any time someone asks for money upfront I would have to assume it’s a scam. Beware!!!

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obsuart t1_je9a7oc wrote

I’ve encountered a few of these scammers on Facebook and Craigslist. People take pictures off of Zillow or something like that and make fake listings for places they don’t own. I won’t give any money until after I able to go and see a real apartment. Be careful out there these people are preying on people who are desperate to find a home

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Rube777 t1_jeanamw wrote

I wouldn’t pay someone a nickel just to see an apartment…

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