You are very smart to notice the automated response.

I am a landlord and ask to do a credit check, but it is ONLY after I talk to the person on the phone and receive a completed legitimate state-specific rental application (this is the law).

I don’t think it’s a big deal that you haven’t met in person — it’s a lot of trouble for a landlord to sort through dozens of rental applications. However this sounds like a scam because of the automated response.

Unfortunately, craigslist (as helpful and great as it is), is a convenient forum for con artists and psychos to try to take advantage of people.

I too smell a rat. You should avoid this character as it is not an established procedure. Deal directly with agents or private landlords.
Providing you avoid the ‘green amateurs’ private landlords will usually be the best bet as the agents will bleed you dry with fees. It’s what they are good at.

This is a scam.

I do not think you are paranoid. I think you are smart to listen to your instinct that this is not right.

A landlord can not access your credit without your written permission. Emails do not count, they need your signature.

If you haven’t even seen the apartment yet, then I wouldn’t give them anything over the internet. Sounds like a scam.

This is a phishing scam or a landlord who is such an arrogant idiot you do not want to deal with him. No landlord is going to pay for credit checks for people who are not already prepared to sign the lease and pay the deposit. You are not being paranoid in the least. Thank goodness you have some sense.

Contact him with your concerns and see how he responds.

Absolutely do not do that. You need to go over all that stuff in person.