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Collingwood OPP warn of new rental property scammers

Police say the fraudsters are attempting to get a down payment on the rental before quickly putting their email/phone number out of service
CollingwoodToday Staff
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NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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COLLINGWOOD AND THE BLUE MOUNTAINS - In the last few months, officers from the Collingwood and The Blue Mountains detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have been called to a couple of incidents of fraud related to rentals listed online and wish to provide a few tips on fraud prevention. 

One of the incidents came to light when the owner of a residence had someone come to their door looking to view the apartment for rent listed online, which was not posted by the owner of the residence. Police were provided with an email and phone number to contact the person responsible for the listing and, of course, both the email and phone number were no longer in service. 

Another incident involved a house for sale which was listed on a reputable website but the photos were then used/stolen by the fraudster and posted on a local website as a ski chalet 'for rent' in The Blue Mountains area. This fraud attempt was discovered by the actual owner of the house, which was legitimately for sale. In both occurrences, no money was ever sent to the scammers.

In both those cases, the posting was done so that the scammer can obtain a down payment or deposit for the rental property and once this is done, the email and/or phone numbers used are put out of service and the renter is no longer able to get in touch with the so-called owner of the dwelling. Here are a few tips to avoid being scammed in this manner. 

  • They want you to give a deposit or pay in full quickly giving you all kinds of excuses to instil a sense of urgency to send them money.
  • They cannot meet you in person and the viewing of the property will be taking place as a 'walking tour' outside the residence, never once gaining access to the house.
  • If possible, try to deal with local reputable rental businesses which you can find via your social circle or online search with associated reviews.
  • If the price is too good to be true ... it probably is.

Following the above tips will certainly go a long way in preventing victimization. For more anti-fraud tips,  visit www.opp.ca or www.antifraudcentre.ca 

If you think you have been a victim of fraud, contact the Canadian Anti‐Fraud Centre at 1‐888‐495‐8501 or report online at http://www.antifraudcentre.ca; you can also contact your local police service or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). 

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