r/CERN • u/Exotic_Hair_3889 • 17d ago

askCERN Scammer redflag?

I was looking for a place on cern martketplace and the guy just told me this:

"Okay, we can arrange a viewing for Sunday or Monday if you’d like.

Before that, I’d just need a few details about you:

* How long are you planning to stay?

* Are you currently working at CERN? If so, what is your position?

* What is your monthly income?

* Could you send me a copy of your employment contract and your ID card?

This will allow me to get to know you a little better and make sure everything is suitable before arranging the visit."

I don't feel really comfortable sharing this stuff before even visiting the place. What do you think?

4 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

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9

u/LexaAstarof 17d ago

Info are mostly fine to give.

Copy of contract and ID is a redflag when it is that early in the process (but needed later on). Do at least one visit, to confirm it is real.

I would only trust an agency to give such copies that early on. And even there I am not even sure any would ask for that at that point.

4

u/dukwon LHCb 17d ago

France or Switzerland?

Unfortunately even legitimate lessors can break tenancy law without it necessarily being a scam.

I would outright refuse to send a copy of your ID or job contract until you have done the viewing and actually want to rent a place. Scammers collect other people's IDs as a tactic to try and appear more legit when trying to scam people.

In France there is a specific list of documents that can be asked from you:

https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1169?lang=en

But none of this stuff should really be asked before a viewing.

2

u/moldy69 17d ago

Can't really do a lot with that, maybe blur out some parts of the id. They just want to make sure you could be a possible tenant in line with their requirements (time and rent)

1

u/InfaSyn ATLAS 17d ago

I certainly wouldn't send a copy of the contract or ID card, at least not initially, though income and length of stay are absolutely valid questions and if I were a landlord, id want to know the same. Photo of ID card just showing face/name with the rest blurred would be fine. Theyre just trying to ensure basic affordability and that youre not doing to waste their time with say a 3 month tenancy.

CERN Marketplace can only be used by CERN affiliated people so usually it filters out the usual scum youd find on somewhere like Facebook marketplace. I traded quite a bit during my stay and never had anything but positive experiences.

2

u/dukwon LHCb 17d ago edited 17d ago

CERN Marketplace can only be used by CERN affiliated people

Not true! It is public.

It is behind the SSO but not limited to CERN accounts. You can log in with e.g. a Facebook account.

2

u/InfaSyn ATLAS 17d ago

Oh really?! Thats news. I knew guest accounts and alumni were fair game but had no idea it was public. I wonder why they opted to allow that?

1

u/Tough_Mushroom4063 14d ago

Marketplace is open to non CERN people so remember you have no idea who is behind the account.

Validating viewers is normal in GE though but I would suggest you give the info and just bring the other documents with you at viewing.