ALERT: Rental Scam

(MIDDLESEX CENTRE, ON) – On January 22, 2017, the Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of a fraud.

A prospective renter was offered an apartment for rent in another city, through a third party. It was ultimately determined that the apartment did not exist, despite funds for parking, rent, and condo fees, having already been paid.

Beware of rental scams. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) states scammers create fraudulent classified ads, often on-line, for rentals in a preferred location. They portray themselves as landlords currently working overseas, and give interested consumers a rental questionnaire, which asks for personal information, including banking details, contact information, occupation, income and more. Once an offer is “accepted”, consumers must send first and last months’ rent in exchange for the keys, but keys are not ever received, nor is a rental available by the scammer.

The CAFC suggest:

When searching for rentals, go to the address; schedule a showing and confirm its availability

Request a lease/contract; review it thoroughly

Complete open source searches on rental addresses to ensure it’s not a duplicate post

Do not send funds to strangers

Contact Equifax and Transunion if you’ve provided sensitive information on applications

For more information on rental scams, please visit:

http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/fraud-escroquerie/rent-location-eng.htm

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