Police warning residents to watch out for rental scams
The Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) says it regularly gets reports from residents who have been victims of rental scams.
Rental scams usually involve fake landlords pretending to offer properties for rent.
The scams often hit prospective tenants who cannot view the property in person – for example, because they live elsewhere.
Scammers may demand a payment in advance, such as a security deposit, and vanish after receiving their payment.
TBPS recommends only sending money to people who have been met in person, and only for properties that have been visited in person.
They recommend asking for identification from prospective landlords, recording license plates if possible, and searching for the owner in the Land Titles office.
Those concerned about rental scams can find more information from the TBPS site or from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Fraud and cyber crimes can be reported here.
