Robby asked:
I’m filling out rental applications for a place with Westside Rentals. On the Tenant Screening Application, it asks for my credit card information (to pay for the credit check). Is that legit? I’m no stranger to giving my credit card information out when shopping online, but this just seems sketchy to me. I’m not about to get scammed, am I?
http://1mortgagecalculator.info
I’m filling out rental applications for a place with Westside Rentals. On the Tenant Screening Application, it asks for my credit card information (to pay for the credit check). Is that legit? I’m no stranger to giving my credit card information out when shopping online, but this just seems sketchy to me. I’m not about to get scammed, am I?
http://1mortgagecalculator.info
No!!! pay the application fee by money order,They don’t need your card number, just need to see if your keeping up on your credit which they will find out through your credit check.
You’re getting scammed, not because of the credit card, but because Westside Rentals is a cruddy service. Unless you are a very high end client looking for expensive properties, their service is likely to not help you.
Many of the properties listed on WSR are overpriced. Since the landlords can list it there for free, the people who are having trouble renting (asking too much money for their rental) are the ones most likely to advertise with them.
Also, WSR collects info from rental signs, newspaper ads, Craigslist, and many sources. By the time they “publish” it, many of the rentals are no longer available. WSR currently sports a ‘C’ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
We had a free WSR account thru my husband’s work and were never able to connect with a landlord/apartment. We tried multiple times over six years. We had better luck with the Argonaut, and with Craigslist.
Also, drive around the area you want to rent in – there are many For Rent signs where the landlord never advertises other than via a sign in the yard or window.
Good luck!