Homeowner and victim both speak out about Craigslist scam
Using the internet to find a home or apartment is convenient, but it can be a breeding ground for scams.
The Paulsen family found a home on Craigslist for $1,000 a month and only $1,000 down. After asking about the house, they got an email inviting them to tour.
The email said no one would be home since the homeowner and family were in Missouri.
“We poked around the place, there were no cars in the driveway, it looked really vacant, we looked through the window and there was furniture and stuff and going around the backside it was open and we helped ourselves in and that’s when we came across the true resident,” says Dennis Paulsen.
The homeowner was not out of town. Both parties were shocked to run into each other.
“She came hollering out of the basement and was extremely surprised to see us, fortunately, I had the girls with me and when she saw the girls it put her at ease, she calmed down and realized we didn’t know what was going on,” says Paulsen.
“I was shocked when these people were trying to come in my house without calling me but then they explained they had an email inviting them to come to my house and I wouldn’t be there or nobody would be there,” says Victoria Walquist, the homeowner.
After showing the emails the Paulsen family found out Walquist did not even list her home on Craigslist.
“I listed my house on Zillow along with pictures and somebody has taken the pictures and description of my house and made a Craigslist ad saying that my house was for rent,” says Walquist.
Even more shocking: the name the person used in the email. Ron Walquist Jr., Victoria’s husband who passed away in January.
“My husband is a decorated war hero, he has two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star, so he deserves to have his memory honored and not defiled in this way.”
Victoria Walquist hopes to sell her house soon and that the person responsible for the scam will be brought to justice.
A tip when listing your home online, watermark your photos with your name and number.
When you are looking for homes, be sure to talk to the homeowner on the phone and do not give any money or personal information.
