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Roomster review: scam!!! beware 96

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6:07 am EDT
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I noticed that the complaints on this site re: roomster.com are old. But everything that is said about it is true. This site is a scam. I signed up for a 3 day trial for $5 but was charged $5 and $29s for the monthly renewal which i never ordered. It is unethical to charge someone's credit card for a subscription they never asked for. Plus, all the apartments i inquired seem sketchy: on two occasions, i was exchanging emails with the "roomsters" who had a share. When i responded, expressed my interest and asked for a time to meet i received no answer back. Their introduction emails all sound the same and all had expressed interest in renting out the apartment to me. Are the folks at roomster.com sending these emails with bogus shares? So far, it seems to be the case. Shame on you.

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The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

96 comments
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Stephanie Hayes
, US
Mar 04, 2020 12:25 pm EST

This is definitely a scam. If anyone gives a positive review they must benefit from the money that Roomster steals from those of us ignorant to try the site. They took $24.95 from me twice after I logged in for a so called free trial (they charged $7.95) which was cancelled January 28 but I am still receiving charges. I have tried calling the phone number associated with the charges in my bank account but am unable to talk to anyone. I am being told I have to go to the website where there is still not a help option. How do I stop these charges when there is not a way to talk to the company that is making these charges?

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Melody Miller
, US
Aug 20, 2019 5:36 pm EDT

princess.albela.ny@gmail.com This is a scammer who spoofs addresses on legitimate craigslist ads and intercepts your email and then directs you to create a Roomster account

Actual Email from [censored] scammer:

“””Hi there,

Yes! My room is still open for rent & I am the landlord of this apartment. Do you like to schedule an appointment for viewing? Just Go & Apply / Reg. here: - ' ApplicatioHi there,
Yes! My room is still open for rent & I am the landlord of this apartment. Do you like to schedule an appointment for viewing? Just Go & Apply / Reg. here: - ' Application Form ' & make an appointment on there then I’ll contact with you ASAP. I use this for safety reason. I think you understand.
Thank you so muchn Form ' & make an appointment on there then I’ll contact with you ASAP. I use this for safety reason. I think you understand.
Thank you so much””””

Look for the fake name “Ava William” and the aforementioned email address. ‘She uses bad syntax and if you place and ad or respond to an ad don’t give out too much info! Damn, do these greedy [censored] ever quit?!?

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Melody Miller
, US
Aug 20, 2019 5:30 pm EDT

princess.albela.ny@gmail.com This is a scammer who spoofs addresses on legitimate craigslist ads and intercepts your email and then directs you to create a Roomster account:
Hi there,

Yes! My room is still open for rent & I am the landlord of this apartment. Do you like to schedule an appointment for viewing? Just Go & Apply / Reg. here: - ' ApplicatioHi there,

Yes! My room is still open for rent & I am the landlord of this apartment. Do you like to schedule an appointment for viewing? Just Go & Apply / Reg. here: - ' Application Form ' & make an appointment on there then I’ll contact with you ASAP. I use this for safety reason. I think you understand.

Thank you so muchn Form ' & make an appointment on there then I’ll contact with you ASAP. I use this for safety reason. I think you understand.

Thank you so much

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Paul Lewis Webster
, US
Mar 24, 2019 5:29 pm EDT

March 2019
I responded to a poster on craiglist who advertised a room for rent. Then I get a text message that asked "Are you real and still trying to find a room to rent."
I answered in the affirmative.
Then I got a text that says; Great now you should go to www.tiny.cc/fillmyroom.com (or something like that) to answer my few questions.
This happened about 3 or 4 times.
The link takes me to roomster. I signed up for a 3 day trail for $7.95 so that I could read messages sent to me via the site.
I never found the person who sent me the text on roomster.
In 1 instance, the text had a 5 digit craiglist code that I was supposed to send back to the sender, to prove that I am a real person, not a bot. The text included an email address. I sent the code back to the sender. Later I get an email from some1 at a different email address & in the subject field was that same 5 digit code. The person said that they were traveling & wanted me to answer some questions at a link, which leads to roomster. But I never found the questions. I haven't heard form that person again.
They did say that after 3 days, I would be billed for $29.95.
I am going to call the # in the post about getting my $ back after I stop my subscription to their fraudulent site.
I am willing to sign onto a class action lawsuit to shut roomster down.

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Emma M Davis
, US
Nov 21, 2018 7:12 am EST

Finding a roommate nowadays might not be all that difficult. But finding the right roommate can be a tedious, frustrating, and seemingly never-ending process without the proper tools in place. Enter the modern roommate finder website. These websites and apps have made it their mission to help you find roommates, fill an open room, or find a new place to live based on things like location and shared interests. Roommate hunting is stressful, so www.roommatebot.com put together a complete guide complete guide on the roommate finding the process, walking you through the do’s, don’ts, and the absolute musts of searching for a roommate.

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:'(
, US
Oct 17, 2018 5:38 am EDT

I Also agree, they stole my money after i never agreed to a subscription. and i never got replies from any apartment owners, i think they were all fake apartments.

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BAD NEWS23
, US
Sep 30, 2018 4:05 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

my guess is the positive reviews here are fake. thats what scams do first

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BAD NEWS23
, US
Sep 30, 2018 4:03 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

THEY RUN SCAM ADS IN CRAIGLIST TO KEEP THIS GOING AND TO LURE YOU INTO SIGNING UP FOR A TRIAL

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Email Eire
, US
Jun 24, 2018 1:46 pm EDT

There is a spammer on craigslist using emails: joanaheimsness7467@yahoo.com and princess.albela.ny@gmail.com. She claims is the owner of the house and sends you link for roomster. Report those email addresses wherever you can!

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Booty Febacca
, US
Jun 15, 2018 7:01 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Never had a problem with the website. I've done the trial membership twice with no issues once I cancelled. Many websites do it this way so if you are not aware of this procedure, that's on you, but it's not a scam. And in fact where I'm living now I met through Roomster.com

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juliet zepeda
, US
Jun 18, 2023 9:33 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Where im living now also is from Roomsyer. Im reading all these bad reviews. And seen to focus maily around the app subscription itself.

But for me it was all a breeze. A little too good to be true so came in here to see if i can find anything fishy witj roomayes or landlords. But going on my second month 🤞🏼 and all good so far

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kwikev
, US
Apr 09, 2018 10:20 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Roomster is an absolute scam. Besides the issues about payment and charges listed by others above they use fake Craig's list ads where you are instructed to go register with Roomster to see the place and meet the landlord. After you do the listing is not there and the 'landlord' disappears. Do not register with Roomster from a Craig's List ad

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Joe Detroit III
, US
Jan 16, 2018 7:23 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Out here in California, Roomster is posting fake ads on Craigslist for rooms. Once you respond to the ad, they ask you to sign up for roomster to be considered for the room. but the rooms don't actually exist.

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Bella Marley
, US
Dec 07, 2017 5:51 pm EST

An I tried to post this fake [censor] site to craigslist an they blocked me they're in on it together

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Bella Marley
, US
Dec 07, 2017 5:50 pm EST

Share share tell everybody
La times let people know out there roomster is a fraud fraud fraud if u looking for an apartment or room u go to craigslist it will automatically direct u to this roomster an they ask u to log in with ur social media account an if its not exactly who u r they tell u to go make an account an all your real information now why should I so they can steal my personal identity an why are they going by different names so they themselves aren't being honest now all my personal information is out there when the person I want to rent from contact me then I give my information how dare u tell me to give up my personal I formation when I didn't ask for their [censor] up fake service warn people about this roomster or olivia house. Us an three or four more names they go by so whos the fraud an u try to contact them they direct u to the same place the problem started soooooo fake fake do not give them ur money yes they want money

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Melania Bettarelli
, US
Dec 07, 2017 12:08 pm EST

The roomster.com service is an online advertiser for roommates and accommodations. I was denied access to both my account and customer service contact minutes after making payment for the service with no explanation, but the following vague, unverified claim :

" Roomster takes member safety and security very seriously. You have been reported by other Roomster members as either being a concern, posing a threat, promoting an agenda, being suspicious, using hate speech or acting inappropriately. We have investigated this matter and have removed you for one of those reasons."

I could not contact the customer service, as the website prevented me from doing so. When I called the company phone number, a message redirected me to their website. A refund request has been made the same day to PayPal and BBB

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Kim Fraczek
, US
Jul 31, 2017 8:22 pm EDT

I am going through trying to get a refund right now! I want to take legal action since there are so many of us who have been scammed into a subscription we did not agree to. Does anyone have a lead on how to do this? I just want my money back that they charged me without my consent. There is no accountability process, nor numbers to call or info about the company!

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Richie Gregory
, US
Jul 18, 2017 3:24 am EDT

ROOMSTER is an absolute JOKE. They are total SCAM ARTISTS. They want you to get their APP because they say it's better than Craigslist --- however --- ROOMSTER posts FAKE ADS on craigslist every few hours. They try to get people responding to the ad to download their APP.
Then you download the APP and the apartment situation you were looking for wasn't even real. It's complete FRAUD.

ROOMSTER -- STOP POSTING FAKE ADS ON CRAIGSLIST!

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nejoe
Lincoln, US
Jul 06, 2012 10:01 am EDT

I created an account on Roomster.com - everything was running smoothly or so I thought. Created my profile and listing of the room available—9 pages worth! Browsed profiles, sent messages, and was getting hits on people looking at my profile. The next day I went to log-in and it wouldn't let me, then said my account didn't exist—so I sent a message to customer service! Then created another account—all 9 pages of information. This time I received an email confirmation of my account.
Now 2 days later their customer service finally responds saying I have an active account—well duh, I created a new account. So I respond back explain a 2nd account was created and asked what happened to the first one. I suggested validating the email address, as it was my assumption that the email address was incorrect. It's actually very common to validate email addresses since that's how the customer logs into their account. All I got back was and I quote "You're being really rude, and btw, I see that you did create two accounts." I'm being rude for trying to help them perfect their product so it doesn't happen to someone again? They should be thanking me for the suggestion (even if they don't use it).

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Shadows Double
, US
Nov 22, 2016 2:28 pm EST

I found more than a few postings on CraigsList that I responded to. The first reply from ALL of them said "register here (roomster link) and give me your contact info, email and phone". I registered at Roomster but didn't provide the contact info, and refused to pay for anything. I responded to 3 Roomster ads and when I got "responses" from them I was brought to a page that wanted me to pay to see the messages, which I refused to do. I got another half dozen or so "responses" from Roomster members that I'd never initiated contact with, and at that point I'd deleted all of my profile information, which tells me that they were nothing but fake messages trying to get me to upgrade my account to a paying one, which I wasn't about to do.
There are still plenty of ads on Craigslist that are clearly Roomster scams and new ones every day. You can tell if they have pictures of rooms that are straight out of some hotel brochure, or have pictures of 3-4 beautiful bedrooms and they're looking for someone to rent one of them. Nothing but scammers. They also appear to copy/paste other ads, probably from other regions, because many of them sound legitimate until you respond and they ask you to register at Roomster and refuse to answer the simplest of questions, like "is it $$ per month or week?" and "How many other people will I be sharing the apartment with?", etc. I flag every ad I see there as Prohibited now (I'm still looking for a place to rent or an apartment to share). If everyone who sees their ads flag them as Prohibited then they're automatically taken off of the visible postings, so flag them whenever you see them and help everyone else out in the process. :-)

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cerulean
, US
Nov 06, 2016 10:32 pm EST

Total scam of a site and they post fake listings on Craigslist to try to get people to sign up. You get the exact same text message from a bunch of people telling you to go sign up first and they will contact you afterward. Then of course you get messaged, so you think you need to check those messages, only to be directed to a page telling you to pay for their subscription to check messages. Desperate people will sign up for the 3 day $5 trial, not realizing that they will charge you again and again as soon as those 3 days are up.

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Terrible experience with Roomster
, US
Sep 06, 2016 10:57 am EDT

Hey guys,

not only it charges you 29.95 next month, they charged me a double for every single month by mistake but refuse to return it even though I had only one subscription. They literally steal money. I told customer care and their only reply is read your recepite which shows only one payment. However, my bank has two payments taken away for every single month. SO imagine - 60 USD per month for this crap service with 0 flatmates. TERRIBLE

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CAplune
, US
Aug 23, 2016 2:35 am EDT

I read the small print, and I understood when I signed up that I must cancel prior to the end of my 14 day subscription. Just to be on the safe side, I've calendared terminating my subscription 1 day earlier. I have no issue with the recurring charges. THAT SAID, I am furious that somehow or another, I supposedly sent HUNDREDS of people an email that says I've got a room to fill and to contact me ASAP. I suspect that they do it just so that other people will pay to log in and read the message, but I'm furious because (1) I didn't send the emails that are supposedly from "me, " and (2) the vast majority of people that were sent the emails do not meet my criteria. I've emailed to complain and am awaiting a response, but bottom line either way--not impressed. Hate the site. No user-friendly. Do not recommend.

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SAbbibe
, US
Aug 23, 2016 2:35 am EDT

I didn't know that after your initial subscription it gets renewed for 30 more days at $29.95. Other than that, I like their "Megaphone" feature which allows you to blast out a message to a lot of people that are looking for roommates in the same area you are looking to rent. We'll see if I have any luck finding a roommate on this site...

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Khawar Rizvi
Washington DC, US
Aug 23, 2016 2:35 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I registered my self for 5 days membership for some 5 or so dollars which I never extended. The roomster Corpe, now charging me for a monthly membership fee over 29.95. Which utter breach of agreement without sending me any notice about membership extension.

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Omunee
, US
Aug 23, 2016 2:34 am EDT

Like everyone else on this list, they auto-renewed my subscription and then quoted their terms of use when I argued about it. I would NEVER RECOMMEND this website to another person. It's utter bull that they continue to use this disgusting business practice and any legit business does not do this sort of shady auto-renewal. Stay away, it is NOT worth it.

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Hbell1111
, US
Aug 20, 2016 3:47 pm EDT

Force you to sign in with Facebook (another scam) and no way to contact them unless you sign up. Please put these people out of business. Total thieves.

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Federal TC
, US
Jul 29, 2016 12:16 am EDT

The only way to take these felons down is for all complainants to go to the FTC.

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kmartens1006
Moville, US
Jul 28, 2016 4:28 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Similar to the other complaints, Roomster tacked on recurring charges after my initial subscription. I signed up for three days, however, was billed for a month automatically. I contacted the company and was referred to their terms of service. I can't dispute the text was in the fine print, but I can't believe a company would so blatantly take advantage of their customers. I do a lot of business online and NEVER have I seen an organization use a tactic like this. Rest assure I will not be doing business with Roomster again.

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Cj C
, US
Jul 17, 2016 2:41 pm EDT

As soon as I posted need for a roomie on craigslist, I immediately got a few texts (by next day I have 8 diff #'s that have texted me), I think they send a text (all almost exactly same message) and then leave a link, no links work. I think they send you a bunch so that you will think mass people are interested, so that you will pay. I checked out one phone number was some "make up your own number/like textnow etc) They must get money for each person they get to sign up or pay. Some message back "did you sign up?" others don't message back at all.

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epppoo
, US
May 27, 2016 1:05 pm EDT

Omg! Like I was shocked to see them charge me a recurring payment of 29.95 dollars. This is a SCAM! I did not see where it said when signing up for the 3 day trial that a recurring payment of 29.95 was included. Why would i sign up for a recurring payment when i only need to find a roommate once! Does that even make sense to anyone. I am fighting back to get a refund!

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ellevii
, US
May 22, 2016 10:17 am EDT

I had the same experience with this website. I signed up for the 3 day trial, and they ended up charging me $29.95 for 2 months. Roomster is a scam. I am currently speaking to the help desk, who isn't responding, to get a refund. If I do not get a refund, I will contact further authorities. THEY ARE A SCAM. DO NOT USE ROOMSTER

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Juan Calavera
, US
Apr 21, 2016 8:30 pm EDT

At the end of the Trial period they will charge you the Full monthly Fee (30$).
I noticed on my PayPal summary, then I cancel the recurrent payment. Look for yourselves:

Date (ET) Package Type Amount Pmt type Status
4/20/2016 4:16:39 PM 3 day trial Cancellation $29.95 Success
4/20/2016 4:04:18 PM 3 day trial Initial buy $5.95 PayPal Approved

As you can see.. the "3 Day Trial" includes a Monthly Fee. You decide if you want to 'Try' the site.

There is no place on their site to manage a recurring charge under the Roomster account, so it is a SCAM.

People there is real although, I was able to contact real people on facebook, but.. What's the real purpose? You need to stalk people to talk them over.

I can not trust this site now and the use of my personal information.

They flood facebook-roomates groups with Roomster spam.

-UPDATE-
After writing this review, Roomster representative decided to give me the TRIAL Refund and asked to remove this review. Also blocking me from using the site, even as a Free user. What a way to go Roomster!

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Disappointedpotentialtenant
Ottawa, CA
Mar 25, 2016 7:50 am EDT

I don't like this site. I am looking to be a tenant with a friend for a two bedroom, and someone sent me a text message appearing to look legitimate and wanting a true roommate. She gave me a link to her roomster profile. It looks like it was only click bait to get me to join as her profile could not even be found when I signed up. Her next text sounded like SPAM! I deleted my account less than two days later and after reading a lot of the complaints here, I am glad I did ! Back to KIJIJI and Facebook!

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Van R. Hall
New York, US
Oct 24, 2014 11:55 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I found a really affordable room to rent in Chicago thru Roomster, it was almost too easy! Just made a an account through my Twitter, signed up for a 3-day subscription, and I found something that worked for what I was looking for.

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ccc1234
, US
Feb 06, 2016 10:33 pm EST

THIS SITE IS A FREAKING SCAM! SITES like THIS are grimy! You steal peoples money! LOW LIFE ###

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ronix
, US
Dec 30, 2015 11:49 pm EST

My experience with roomster.com was exactly the same and why I am here.

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Ryan Shaughnessy
, US
Dec 28, 2015 7:41 pm EST

I have clicked through to this site many times. I have a rental property in MN and most times that I publish a new Craigslist listing I will receive a text message from an interested party with a link. I click the link that goes to roomster. It is very obvious spam bc even though I am already logged into Roomster it brings me to the search page. I.e. the name given in the text message and nice little sentence is just a ROBOT trying to get me onto Roomster.com

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Craig Smith
, US
Dec 02, 2015 3:53 pm EST

Ya gotta use PayPal when you try upgrades with stuff like this.
Open a PayPal account. They KNEW it was a scam, and my payment never even went thru. Lol!
Saved me $6 bucks!
Never ever use your regular credit card for anything that even close to sketchy on line.
If they don't use "legit" PayPal, then it's likely a scam site. :-/
These a-holes TRIED to link to PayPal, and when I finally clicked, the transaction was vaporized.
PayPal MUST do this automatically.
Good on them. :-)

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Patrick D.
Denver, US
Jul 03, 2015 8:41 am EDT

I am looking to rent a room in Denver and I've responded to several of the ads on craigslist that have phone numbers. The texts I've received back ask me to sign up for Roomster.com. It's very sad that Roomster is doing this. I hope no one on roomster is actually trying to rent a room because I will not go back to this site. Now I'm hesitant to even use craigslist because it seems to be wasting my time.

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Jonny Applehat
Boulder, US
Jun 15, 2015 6:29 pm EDT

So much obvious astrofurfing in this board.

Roomster is a fraud people. STAY AWAY