Follow us on TwitterWith the new school year approaching, Charlottetown Police Services is warning the public about rental scams. These type scams happen year round, but scam advertisements do appear to increase in July/Aug when students start seeking lodging.
When seeking a rental on social media, be aware of common signs that the ad may be a scam:
- They don’t want to meet you.
- They pressure you to move in quickly without seeing the property
- They ask you to send a deposit before seeing the property
- The price may be too good
- The listing has typos and poor grammar
- There is no tenant screening process
With most of these scams, once you send money, the scammer will cease all communication.
Don’t be a victim:
- Do your research. Drive by the property to determine if indeed it is an apartment building or obvious rental. Some scammer get their listing from properties that are on the market for sale, or simply just a random house. If you’re from out of Province, have someone you know do this for you.
- Meet the landlord in person and schedule a viewing.
- Never send money without satisfying yourself that it is legitimate.
What to do if you are the victim of a scam:
- Report the fraud to your local Police
- Report the fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre via their website or by calling 1888-495-8501.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is a good resource to get more information on various frauds and preventative tips. https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm