Unfortunately scammers are targeting both Landlords & Tenants on our websites. Scammers have a number of ways to conduct fraudulent activity but by following these rules you can avoid attempts to defraud you.
- TRY TO DEAL LOCALLY AND WITH PEOPLE YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON. This will avoid almost all problems.
- NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM or any other wire service - anyone who asks you to do so is probably a scammer.
- FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later.
- NEVER GIVE OUT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (bank account number, social security numbers, etc.)
Most scams involve one or more of the following:
-Inquiry from someone out of town, often in another country.
-Western Union, Money Gram, cashier's check or money order.
-Inability to provide details of the rental or unwilling to meet face to face.
Who should I notify about fraud or scam attempts?
Canadian PhoneBusters hotline: 888-495-8501
FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
FTC online complaint form (http://www.ftc.gov)
Internet Fraud Complaint Center (http://www.ic3.gov)
Software Piracy (http://www.siia.net/piracy/report.asp)
Non-emergency number for your local police or RCMP department.
If you suspect that a landlord or tenant may be part of a scam, please email the details to: rentsline@gmail.com
Examples of Scams
1. Out of town (Country) person offers a genuine-looking (but fake) cashier's check
You receive an email (examples below) offering to rent your apartment, sight unseen.
Cashier's check is offered as a deposit for an apartment.
The value of the cashier's check often far exceeds your item - scammer offers to "trust" you, and asks you to wire the balance via money transfer service.
Banks will often cash these fake checks AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE WHEN THE CHECK FAILS TO CLEAR, including criminal prosecution in some cases!
scam often involves a 3rd party (shipping agent, business associate owing buyer money, etc).
2. Someone requests wire service payment via Western Union or Money Gram:
Apartment listing may be local, but landlord/owner is "traveling" or "relocating" and needs you to wire money to them abroad.
Deal often seems too good to be true, price is too low, rent is below market, etc.
3. Distant person offers to send you a money order and then have you wire money:
Most likely a scam and the cashier's check they offer to send you are most likely FAKE.
Sample Scams:
From: philpdruggers@rocketmail.com
Subject: Re: Rentsline.com: Visitor email regarding 2 Bedroom Suite in House in Vancouver
To: ?..
Thanks for showing interest in my unit.however, the unit is still available for short/long term.The month-month fee is $1180/deposit fee is $820.Attached are some recent pictures of the interior of the unit.Unfortunately am not in canada for now that is the major reason why wanted t rent out the unit. i reside in usa precisely in dorchester, Ma.
i would want you to leave me with a contct number where i could get in touch with you.Here is the address of the unit below and its general over view.
Renfrew And East 10th,Renfrew, Vancouver, BC
Vancouver, BC
100 Mile House, BC
rty Description * Fully Furnished and equipped 1 Bdrm and Den suite - ready to move-in. Across from the beach in Kitsilano.. Close to UBC, shopping and convenient to downtown. House is corner Pt. Grey & Waterloo Sts. High-speed internet, cablevision, laundry, and utilities included.
Regards
From: maria brown [mailto:sexymaria481@yahoo.com]
Sent: 15 avril 2009 01:48
Subject: sublease for rent
My name is maria brown am very interested to sublease ur apartment am
really from PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND CANADA but am in West coast Africa for now
working has interior decorator so am coming over down there settle down ,
i am looking for a good place to sublease/live i will like to get it rented from u
and i will also like to know if the apartment is very neat and ok am easy going
type honest god fearing and i will also like to know how the condition of
the apartment it is and let me know how much you will be giving the room to me ,
i will be waiting to here from u asap bye .
Stay blessed..
Hi,
My name is Mary Loius,i am an undergraduate student who just got an admission in your locality, I saw your ad on the internet and i am interested in your room,so let me know if it is still available so that i can inform my uncle cos he is the one responsible for the payment.
To tell you afew about myself,i am a young lady of 22,based in st petersburg Russia very ambitious,i have always wanted to school outside Russia to change my environment and make new friends due to the pressure of my step mother.
Please get back to me as soon as possible so as to enable me put my interest.
Hope to read from you soonest.
Regards
Mary.
am interested in renting your place. Here is a little information about me. I am Harrison Brown and I am 26 years old. At present I am based in the United Kingdom, but will be relocating to your Province in a couple of weeks to settle.
Consequent to this and in order to make settling in much easier and quicker I am searching for an accommodation early and I saw your add on the site and I'd be glad if I could make the reservation for the place. I can assure you that you will not have any regrets letting out this place to me. I am a fun loving , easy going, quiet and matured individual with a good sense of humor. I have respect for other peoples opinions and space. I will be coming over alone, with no family or pets. I do not smoke and I drink very lightly.
My reason for moving is because I have a job offer and the pay is very good. I will be working as a Database Administrator on Oracle. Please reply