Rental Verified and sarah@properties4rent.biz Rental Verified using email addresses @properties4rent.biz to get prospective tenants to pay fee for background checks Internet

Daughter saw apt on craig's list - pics and description looked great. She indicated was interested and received email response from Sarah at properties4rent.biz. In her email Sarah told her needed to get a background check prior to meeting for a walk through and provided a link to Rental Verified to do so. Daughter thought it was strange to ask for this in advance but since property being shown by a woman I figured she was being caution and her email was so professional, I clicked the link and paid the $40 for my daughter's verification - bah! Don't fall for it! A big scam. Rental Verified is using this tacktic to fraudulantly obtain fees for running prospective tenants' reports.

Following is the e-mail received from sarah at properties4rent.biz :

   I greatly appreciate your reply and showing interest in my home. My property has a family friendly floor plan and 1 beds 1.5 baths.

   It's available for lease with a rental agreement. I will bring the rental agreement with me to the walk thru.

   The property leases very fast. It is in a well kept community. I require a background checks from all applicants.

   Background checks can be completed online using Rental Verified: [provided a link to Rental Verified's website]

   This is an economical way for me to screen applicants on prior tenant hisotry and employment information. If you have a criminal record or less than perfect rental history, I'll work something out.

    To lease our home we ask for the following:

    1. 1st months rent

    2. Rental Agreement (month to month, 6 months, or 12 months)

    3. Completed background check for each applicant

    4. Valid Driver's License or Photo ID

   This property is pet friendly, yet has not had any pets in the past. It is free of smells or stains. We do not have any breed restrictions and we do not charge a fee or require a deposit.

   If your pet causes damage to the property, it's your responsibility to make all the needed repairs.

   Once you've completed your background check and are ready to schedule a tour, contact me. It's in a .pdf file and you can print it and bring to the showing or email it to me.

   I'll be available tomorrow, Saturday, if I can answer any questions you might have. What's the best number to reach you at?

   Thanks again for your interest , I look forward to hearing from you.

   Kind regards,

   Sarah

do NOT fall for this scam!