The Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) is warning residents about recent fraudulent activity on Facebook after receiving several calls during the past few weeks from people about the problem.
Police have learned that individuals are making fake Facebook posts about available rental units and/or items for sale. The scammer will ask for a deposit in advance via an e-transfer for the person to secure the item or rental unit.
As a result, the police service is cautioning residents to verify the recipient, rental unit, and item(s) are real prior to payment.
Never rush into a decision and always check with someone trusted first before taking any action. If the offer appears too good to be true, it likely is. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
In addition, the MJPS is reminding residents never to provide their Social Insurance Number (SIN), personal information, or credit card numbers.
If you or someone you know has fallen victim to either of these scams, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
Or, if you believe the scam originated locally, contact the Moose Jaw Police Service at 306-694-7600.
The Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan (FCAA) is also warning people about recent rental scams happening across Saskatchewan.
“Rental scammers are inventive and unscrupulous,” said Jan Seibel, FCAA Insurance and Real Estate Division executive director. “One type of online scam that we are seeing is where fake landlords lure unwary would-be renters with pictures of properties they don’t actually own. It’s important to watch for red flags and make sure you are dealing with a legitimate person.”
In these cases, fraudsters posing as landlords have been targeting hopeful tenants by creating fake listings. The “landlord” does not own the property, and the photos on the rental advertisement are typically downloaded from legitimate real estate websites.
The fraudster asks the tenants to sign a fake lease agreement and send a payment, ostensibly to cover rent for the first month and provide a security deposit.
Once the payment is received, the fraudulent landlord disappears, and either the victim does not receive access to the property or, in some extreme cases, a locksmith is contacted, who grants access to the property, causing issues for both the victim of the fraudulent rental agreement and the actual property owners.
Residents looking to find a rental property in Saskatchewan should exercise caution and vet both the persons with whom they are dealing and the properties they are considering.
Some tips to ensure that the rental is legitimate include:
- Meeting the landlord in person — being unavailable to meet in person is a significant red flag — or at least via phone call
- Always inspect the property first and ensure that the address represents the actual property. Whenever possible, request to tour the premises with the landlord
- Being wary if the landlord requests money right away without doing a background check or having a formal rental agreement in place. Security deposits and rental payments should never be paid until you have seen the rental property
- Ensuring that the rental price is in keeping with the going rate in the area. As with other types of scams, if something seems too good to be true, it generally is
- A legitimate landlord will be forthcoming with information about the rental process, ask questions and make sure to get clear information
For more information, visit fcaa.gov.sk.ca
For information regarding the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords, please visit the Office of Residential Tenancies page at Saskatchewan.ca.
