[twiggy]

Hello everyone

We have been alerted by some of our users about an email being sent round to some of our users claiming to be from Gumtree and talking about a Gumtree service for payment for goods/ flats to rent.

This is fake. Gumtree don’t offer any financial protection services such as a payment program or get involved in invoicing at all so please be aware that these emails are a scam and definitely not from us.


What should I do?
Anyone who receives this email should report it to us using the Stay Safe page under Gumtree Help, and under no circumstances send the person any money or follow the instructions.

Just a reminder that any genuine emails you receive from us at Gumtree will always be sent from an ‘@gumtree.com’ email address (although please note that even this can be faked); we will never ask you for money or bank details; and we don't use Western Union or any other financial program.

Our Stay Safe page under Gumtree Help (look for the 'help' button on the left hand-side of your Gumtree homepage) has lots more tips on what to watch out for.



Unfortunately the sender of this email is trying to prey on the good, honest nature of Gumtree users and they feel that by posing as Gumtree they hope to instil a sense of trust and be more successful with this scam.


Thanks very much to those that alerted us to this.

The Gumtree Team

[the_tidy_kiwi]

Hi all,

Just an update on this scam. These jokers are now copying and pasting information from our 'Stay Safe' pages, but then adding their own bullet points! The email address below is also a complete fake.

See below:

From: help@gumtreestaysafe.com
Subject: Gumtree ad: <>
Date: <>
To: <>

TO: <>

Welcome to Gumtree Help!

Accommodation – top tips for staying safe

o View properties in person if possible.Gumtree is a local community site and we encourage face-to-face, local, trading. People willing to rent a property without seeing it , even if they claim that it is because they are currently overseas, are unlikely to be legitimate.For personal ease and safety, always ensure you take someone with you, or if you are inviting someone into your home ask to see personal identification first.

o It is illegal for agencies in the UK to charge fees for viewing properties/ property listings. Please report to us any agencies advertising on Gumtree that ask for fees upfront.

o Never send or wire money to landlords without contacting us first at this email address.

o Gumtree doesn’t offer any sort of buyer protection/ payment programs.
Any emails that talk about such systems are scams, even if they may have the Gumtree logo. If you receive any emails promoting these services,please report it to us by writing us an email to this email address .

o Report to us by writing us an email to this email address any attempted fraud or suspicious emails, ads, or other activity by community members.In case of fraud, we also recommend that you report it to the Police.

o Landlord: Daniel Luis is currently in Spain and he is unable to show his property.He requests a credit check using Western Union - Money Transfer before his arrival in (London) because of his past problems with renting his apartment over the Internet.

The landlord: Daniel Luis is A Verified Member in good standing,Identity and/or Contact Information - Verified.

Referral Transaction Summary:

Monthly rent:550

Deposit:550

Amount Due:1100

Tenant name:<>

Property of:Daniel Luis

Description:FURNISHED 2 BEDROOM APARTMENT on the 5th floor of the building. Floor to ceiling windows in the lounge give long-range views east, south and - just for good measure - west ! The property comprises entrance hallway, bathroom, furnished double bedroom and master bedroom with en-suite facilities. The lounge includes two mega comfortable cloth settees, coffee table & tv. Vertical blinds. Fully-integrated kitchen area includes washer/dryer, full length fridge-freezer, oven & hob, dishwasher and integrated microwave. Wrap-around balcony ensures you get the most out of the summer months. Highly economical property. Fabulous views over the river and the weir. On-site security. SECURE UNDERCROFT PARKING SPACE.

Just deposit the &quot;Amount Due&quot; via Western Union to any name (relative or friend name) London,United Kingdom.If you accept the landlord terms than proceed with the deal.

Transfer must be issued within 24-48 hours.

How to complete payment?

1. Locate the nearest Western Union Office 2. E-mail us the following details from the payment receipt:
- MTCN - 10 digits number from the payment receipt
- Sender Name and Address
- Receiver Name
- Amount

Note: Western Union Money Transfer is designed mainly for sending cash to friends and family in need, so telling them you are sending the money to a designed business will prevent your money transfer to go through and you will be unable to complete this transaction.


o Gumtree doesn’t offer any sort of buyer protection/ payment programs,we will hold the payment details until the landlord will be able to show you the property in person.

Important Notice!

The payment details are confidential and will not be released under any circumstances.Our constant priority is the safety of our people and our customers.Gumtree always tries to fulfill its customers' needs.

If you encounter any problems with this transaction, please contact using this email address.

Samantha Drew

Thank you for using Gumtree!

Princess Court
1 Horace Road
Kingston Upon Thames
Surrey KT1 2SL

The Information in red is all false information. Funnily enough, these guys included the very information that warns people about using Western Union and Gumtree not offering payment schemes!

If you receive any emails similar to this IGNORE the instructions and report them to us!

[the_tidy_kiwi]

Here is the first email that you receive. Typical 'Gumtree will send you an email' 'pay by Western Union' 'I had a bad experience' - all classic scam signals.

Dear <>,

Follow the instructions received from Gumtree to proceed with the deal.If you accept my terms than the apartment is yours!

I had a horrible experience last time I wanted to rent my apartment over the internet and now I`m being careful with my selections.

There will be two possibilities we could conduct our deal. The first one is to send the total amount to move in (GBP 1400) through western union to my name.

The second one is to make a proof of money. Just deposit the total amount of (GBP 1400) via Western Union,you can deposit them in any name (relative or friend name), Let`s say John Hanks or any other , London United Kingdom.

As soon as you made the deposit you will have to forward the transaction details to Gumtree and they will hold the payment details.If everything will be ok i will be coming to complete the deal,sign the lease and pass you the keys along with a copy of the "Lease Contract".

After Gumtree will notify me that you had made the transfer,i will book a flight for London for your move in date,when exactly do you wanna move in?

This is fair enough for me,i hope you feel the same thing because this is just a credit check.

You can leave the money at Western Union until the move in date.I will refund the transfer fees when we will meet in person.

After you will move in,you will have to change receivers details with my details to be able to pick up the funds.

For further information do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards,

[the_tidy_kiwi]

Hi Guys,

A scam that we saw a year ago has resurfaced. We are working hard to keep these ads off our site, but be wary that Gumtree does not offer any payment services. Click the 'Report this Ad' button to let us know if you receive a reply like the one below:

For Your Rent & Deposit Payments, Think Gumtree Safety

3 Easy Steps to complete a transaction:

1. The home owner and the prospective tenant both agree to use Gumtree Safety, a transaction is established and a date of arrival is set.



2. The prospective tenant remits the transaction amount to Gumtree ( Rent plus Deposit) and the Apartment owner is notified that the money is at Gumtree.



3. After the expected date of arrival has elapsed, the prospective tenant is granted a 7-day inspection period, after acceptance of service (the apartment actually exists) by the prospective tenant, the home owner is paid... Or the prospective tenant gets his money back.



We highly recommend our users to use this method of payment to secure the first transaction with your future landlord.

Our member Tom Leya has opted to conduct this transaction through Gumtree Safety having you the person who is renting his house/flat:

Property ID
Monthly Rent
Deposit
Amont Due

22343456
£550
£550
£1100


Referral Transaction Summary

Tenant name and address:
Edgar Rosamond, 76 Alma Vale Road, Clifton, BS8 2HR

Reported Lease terms:
Starting from 7th June

Property of:
Tom Leya, Broad Street Bristol,Bristol




Description:

Stunning first floor FURNISHED apartment forming part of a Georgian townhouse situated in the heart of the City overlooking the refurbished \'Guildhall\' and boasting 2 double bedrooms (master with full en suite bathroom), separate shower room, stunning living room with period fireplace and high ceilings, refitted kitchen with integrated appliances, gas central heating and weeknight parking available nearby.


The Following were indicated by Tom Leya:

The total rent/month:£550

Deposit:£550

Amount Due:£1100

After receiving the amount of £1100 the landlord will be instructed to show you the house/flat. The landlord selected Gumtree Safety for this transaction. Premium service transactions are protected up to GBP 20,000.00 in order to speed up the process. Gumtree and our registered member agreed that you send payment via Western Union- Money Transfer.

If you are not familiarized with Western Union- Money Transfer service, please visit Western Union site. You have to pay with cash at any Western Union office. If you want to locate the nearest Western Union office in your area, please click here. You have to pay with cash at any Western Union office.

How to send payment?

1. Locate the nearest Western Union office;

2. Make the payment with cash using our agent`s details below;

3. E-mail us by clicking here the following details from the payment receipt:
- MTCN - 10 digits number from the payment receipt
- Sender Name and Address
- Amount

Note: Western Union Money Transfer is designed mainly for sending cash to friends and family in need, so telling them you are sending the money to a designed business will prevent your money transfer to go through and you will be unable to complete this transaction. We suggest to go to your nearest Western Union office and let them know that you are sending the money to your friend/relative.

Transfer to our agent must be issued within 24-48 hours.

Send funds to our agent:

Agent details (send Western Union money transfer to):
First name: Mark

Last name: Heller

Address: Princess Court
1 Horace Road
Kingston Upon Thames
Surrey KT1 2SL
London

Once Gumtree receives the payment confirmation, Tom Leya will be instructed to show you the property. Gumtree holds the payment until you confirm that you are satisfied with the house/flat and signed the lease contract.

After you have signed the lease contract you need to send us your confirmation to release the payment to Tom Leya.

During the inspection period, you have the option to accept or reject the house/flat.

If you, as the tenant, accept the terms and conditions indicated by Landlord, proceed with the first step of the transaction.

Once you have made the Western Union money transfer to our agent you will have to confirm the transfer.

E-mail us here the payment details from the payment receipt:
- MTCN - 10 digits number from the payment receipt
- Sender Name and Address
- Amount

Thank you for using Gumtree Safety.


How Gumtree Safety works?

Tenant and landlord agree to terms:

Both parties agree to terms of the transaction, which includes a description of the house/flat, rent price/month.

Tenant pays to Gumtree:

The tenant submit the payment, using Western Union to our agent. Gumtree verifies the payment. Processing time takes about 1-2 working days.

Landlord shows the house/flat:

Upon payment verification, the landlord is authorized to show the property and finalize the contract.

Tenant accepts the house/flat:

The tenant has the option to accept or reject the house/flat.

Gumtree pays the landlord:

Gumtree Safety pays the landlord by cashier`s check, Western Union or wire transfer. Transaction is complete.

Gumtree Safety is free of charge. Most of our listings are posted directly by the landlords. Usually our landlords moved to another country or are unable to show their property, that`s why Gumtree Safety exists.


Top tips for staying safe
o View properties in person if possible. Gumtree is a local community site and we encourage face-to-face, local, trading.We also encourage the use of Gumtree Safety for landlords who claim that they are currently overseas or they are unable to show their property. If you are inviting someone into your home ask to see personal identification first.

o It is illegal for agencies in the UK to charge fees for viewing properties/ property listings. Please report to us any agencies advertising on Gumtree that ask for fees upfront.

o Never send or wire money directly to landlords. This includes never mailing a cheque or using payment services like Bidpay, Western Union or Money Gram to pay for items found on Gumtree.

o Never provide your personal or banking information (e.g. credit card number) to others over the Internet.

o Make yourself aware of common scams and fraud . Do not believe the promise of large sums of money for your help in any task.

o Report to us any attempted fraud or suspicious emails, ads, or other activity by community members. In case of fraud, we also recommend that you report it to the Police.

[Granny Thacker]

You should make this thread a "Sticky" you know.

[Kiwi Guy]

GUMTREE don't do anywhere enough to combat Scams...in fact it seems they take the side of Scammers on many an occasion.

I have tried to post an Ad warning of Scammers and within 5 mins it was taken down by Gumtree...probably after the Scammers complained.
Are Gumtree stupid or Crafty scammers themselves...you decide.

My advice is go somewhere else...Gumtree is a haven for Rip off merchants. Its got to the point where you just can't trust this site!!

[urinefacewash]