This is the exact message I received. What will happen if I gave my SSN to the website?

Wow he is every where got one for marina del rey.ca, I was thinking thati used to work for a home based business that paid $20 for every person u got to do the free credit report,this is a good way to do it..just a thought of why he might be doing it.

I received the same thing from this guy in Santa Monica.

This is the exact reply I got, however the name on the email also said "Walter Boldt" despite the fact it was signed "Buck Halter".

Did any of them look like this reply I got after I sent him an email asking "how in the world could you get away with this price?!"?


Thanks for your interest in the apartment Heather.

-The stated rent in the ad is the monthly rent for the entire unit.
-Utilities are not included in the rent. $50-$75 per month estimate.
-Free Cable and Internet is included.
-Security deposit is one month's rent up front.
-Pets are allowed with a one-time $100 deposit at signing.
-Apartment can come furnished or unfurnished. Price does not change.
-Free off street parking is included.
-All units have in unit washer/dryer
-We do not give out the exact address until the showing because the majority of the units are vacant.
-You have to fill out this credit report first Credit Application (Apt 201)

When you fill out the credit report, Halter Realty gets your information only including your name, phone number and credit score emailed directly to us. After we receive your score, whether you pre-qualify or not, we will get in contact with you.

This email should explain everything, but if you still have questions you can email me at my personal email address: buckwhalterrealty@live.com.

I'll try my best to answer all questions, but please just fill out the report and let us contact you.

Thanks,
Buck Halter
206-279-6800

I too saw the apartment for the low price.  I made an inquiry via email.  He gave a lot of information but did not answer my questions.  He did not ask for my SS#, but did state that I needed to use a special service for credit score.  I thought it a bit weird too.  The new number he is using  Buck Halter  206-279-6800.  It will be interesting to see if he answers my inquiry from last night... before reading the comments above during my investigation this morning.

Thanks!

Total fraud. He asked for a credit score prior to seeing a place. Everything about the email is a fake, right down to this phone number. There is no Buck W Halter.

Beware! This is a scam. I too found an unbelievably priced rental ad on craigslist in Chicago and responded by email for more information. He emails back requiring a social security number to perform a credit check before you can even go see the place. That was an immediate red flag that he is illegally obtaining sensitive information and I imagine had I given him my ss# I probably wouldn't be hearing back to actually go see an apartment.

I also noticed that in his craigslist listing there are multiple photos of different kitchens which raised my concern that he's not even posting a particular units images. He's just picking a bunch of photos to entice people to respond.

I just contacted him via email and got a similar reply.  I replied informing him that pre-qualifying individuals for a lease is illegal in the state of Illinois.  I worked in real estate as a licensed agent for a few years.  Do not give any information!

THIS NUMBER WAS GIVEN IN A UNBELIEVABLY ATTRACTIVE APARTMENT LISTING ON CRAIGSLIST CHICAGO. THE PERSON CONTACTED ME FOR SS NUMBER AND ALL ELSE FOR A 'CREDIT CHECK. I AM GOING TO REPORT THIS NUMBER , THE AD AND THE PARTY BUCK HALTER TO THE ILLINOIS STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE.