After 7OYS report, Eyewitness News viewer steps up to help electrician who lost $1,000 in rental scam
JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (WABC) -- An Eyewitness News viewer is stepping up to help an electrician who lost more than $1,000 in a rental scam.
Nick Datz, 24, was looking for a fresh start in a new apartment and wired the money to a con artist who was posing as the landlord.
It turns out the pictures of the apartment listing he saw on Craiglist were stolen from another website.
The real landlord is renting the property for $2,000 a month.
"Someone is scamming the honest public and scamming me," landlord Anthony Calzaretta said.
RELATED | 7 On Your Side: How to spot rental scams amid COVID-19 pandemic
The owner put up a warning about the scam, but not before Datz lost the hard-earned money he saved and borrowed to finally move out of his mom's house.
But 7 On Your side had a surprise for him Thursday.
"To hear how someone was preying on someone that young, that bothered me," Michelle Krupa said.
Krupa has three boys of her own and her heart went out to Datz when she saw the story.
She wanted to give him a fresh start.
"Hi Nick, it's Michelle Krupa, I'm a mom of three young sons so I just wanted to help you out, give you a little bit of a head start as you reengage in the work world," Krupa said in a video message to Datz. "So here's a check made out to you to help you find that apartment."
Datz was overwhelmed by her generosity and kindness.
"Thank you, I appreciate that, hopefully I can meet you one day and repay my debt to you, I just thank you very much from the bottom of my heart," Datz said.
ALSO READ | 7 On Your Side: Big win for landmark New York City restaurant in Citi Bike battle
----------
SHARE YOUR STORY
Do you have an issue with a company that you haven't been able to resolve? If so, 7 On Your Side wants to help you!
Email 7OnYourSideNina@abc.com, or contact Nina on her Facebook page or tweet her at Twitter @7OnYourSideNY! You can also call the 7 On Your Side Hotline at 917-260-7697 or fill out the form below.
