Am I being over skeptical? Security/lease issue

[Bullitt]

Wondering whether anyone here can ease my mind. Given Im an investigator by trade its easy for me to think the worst of situations.

As you may have seen Im looking for a new flatmate. I had a guy email me yesterday via trademe and came around to see the flat today. He seemed nice enough so I agreed for him to move in.

I showed him a copy of the lease and said we could get him put on it next week. However he barely glanced at it and wants a copy of it tomorrow (before hes on it). He also wanted my bank details to put bond etc through which I txt to him however he replied he wanted a copy of the top of a bank statement.

Just sitting here got me thinking I know this guys cell number, hotmail address and trademe account (not verified and with zero feedback) and nothing else.

This got me thinking whether there was any non fraudulent explanation for this behaviour. Either having a document with my signature and my bank account details or having enough documents that may be accepted at places as a form of ID.

He seems nice enough and I have no reason (other than the above) not to trust him but at the same time Im naturally suspicious and dont know him at all.

I just txt him and asked him why he needed it and got the following response:
"should have explained. have enrolled in study. may be entitled to a subsidy, that's all..."

So does a lease with someone elses name on it allow someone to get a subsidy for something? The lease has the total rent but not the room rent on it either.

Am I right to be worried?

[The Pastor]

dunno much man, but you gotta be careful aye, ask for the bond in cash.

[klingon]

Hmmm... interesting situation. Personally I would go with my gut instinct about the guy. I can think of a few reasons why he would do each of the things he has done (for example, personally I would also not bother reading the lease agreement while I was there with you looking over my shoulder. I would rather take it home and read it at my leisure).

But just because I can think of logical justifications for his behaviour doesn't mean anything really. You're going to have to go with your gut on this one.

Do you have friends whose opinions you trust, who you could get to meet the guy? See if they come away with a good feeling about him or not.

[jtzzr]

Go with your gut instinct , if it don`t feel right it ain`t right, sounds like a shifty bugger to me.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Like every one else is saying go with the gut instinct

[Bullitt]

Him as a person seemed fine. I didnt have any doubts when he left. Its only these specific actions (which may be entirely innocent) Im concerned about.

[Laava]

I can think of no reason why he would need the extra bank info. Keep clear of this guy if you have ANY reservations.

[jafar]

He could want a copy of the bank statement because he is as suspicious as you are , he doesn't know you from a bar of soap either.
As your first impression was that he was good enough to share a flat with then that impression is probably correct.
The lease agreement is something you would want to look over before you signed it. Not something you can do in the middle of an interview

[NotaGoth]

I smell bullshit. I thought that for a subsidy all he would need is a written letter from you???

Follow your gut instinct. Somethings not right.

If you are already humming and harring wondering about the guy, then why would you want to live with him? Simple.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Him as a person seemed fine. I didnt have any doubts when he left. Its only these specific actions (which may be entirely innocent) Im concerned about.

Thats how cons artists work tho...

[The Pastor]

Go with your gut instinct , if it don`t feel right it ain`t right, sounds like a shifty bugger to me.

takes one to know one eh?


p/t

[carver]

can you judge a man by his looks?
some good actors out there

[Bullitt]

Thanks everyone. I think the going with my gut was the right response. Problem pretty quickly resolved.

Decided to call the whole thing off. I know the rent on this place is competitive and Im not desperate to fill it so Ill wait for the next right person to come along.

[Mikkel]

Always get their rego (if applicable) and an address of service - that they can prove. Those two things are quite important. (The address is especially important if you should need to take him to disputes at the end...)

But as people say - if it doesn't feel right, risk is it might not be right!

[Bullitt]

Both valid points. Rego is hard to do, of the 6 people that have looked through so far only one has had a car (and no bikes). I thought a garage would be a selling point but apparently noone in Wellington needs one.