[kellyjam]

Never give your Bank a/c # out. Any scammer could clean it out. If you must use an a/c for deposits I would never leave more than $50-$100 in it.

[KennyC]

Originally Posted by kellyjam

Never give your Bank a/c # out. Any scammer could clean it out. If you must use an a/c for deposits I would never leave more than $50-$100 in it.

Great advice Kelly.....a separate account just for receiving the rent income.
Have it automatically transferred each month to a different account..

just an FYI....be VERY careful of ANYONE saying that "their agent" will make arrangements, and that YOU need to send ANY money to ANYONE. These are all SCAMS.....

They say that they will "pay full price"....but have already had a "bank check" made for a certain amount...they will send you "bank check for over the amount...and ask for you to send THEM the difference...

Obviously...the bank checks are forgeries....by the time you figure out that the "bank check" bounced...YOUR check has already been cashed!

These SCAMS are VERY popular on Craigslist, and have been for years, yet...unfortunately, MANY still bite the hook!

Always ask for their info, so that you may return a call, address, etc...

Most of the "overseas" inquiries ARE SCAMS!

[TrudyM]

Originally Posted by kellyjam

Never give your Bank a/c # out. Any scammer could clean it out. If you must use an a/c for deposits I would never leave more than $50-$100 in it.

Your account routing info is on every check you write so the info is out there.
Ok so how do you pay for things? By check they have your account number. By credit card they have your account number. By wire transfer you have their account number. If you send them a cashiers check they will think it is a scam?
Credit card has limits to liability (not debit only credit) for unauthorized charges but most people renting out a unit don't take credit cards.
And alot of people can't put 7 to 10 grand on their credit card.

This is all very depressing

[l2ridehd]

Nobody can access your account because they have your checking account number. If that were true, you could never write a check for anything. Everyone you have ever paid by check could have your account number and the bank routing information.

The biggest risk you have is debit cards. Because if someone scams your number and pin they can clean you out. Every thing else requires a signature. One other precaution you can take is to remove the 3 digit code on the back of your credit cards. They can be scrapped off with a knife. Then no one can use it for internet purchases. Record them in a safe place prior to removing, just in case you want to use it for an internet purchase.

When using a debit card in any machine, store check out, ATM, any place you swipe the card, make sure there is nothing strange about the machine. Most common way to steal your information is a reader mounted on the ATM where you slide your card in. Many ATM's now have a green led light ring around that slot so if it is cover over by an external reader it is obvious. But thieves can install a thin reader over the slot and you really can't tell with out looking closely.