Mounties in Nanaimo are warning the public after a resident lost nearly $4,000 in a “rental scam.” The victim responded to an online advertisement for a rental property, Nanaimo RCMP said in a news release Wednesday. The ad appeared legitimate, police said, noting that it “included documents such as a rental agreement and land title information.” Police said the victim sent “several payments for deposits and rent” through their online banking platform, only to later discover that the ad was fraudulent. “The fraud came to light when the victim arranged to view the property and learned from the legitimate homeowner that the individuals advertising the rental were not authorized to rent the residence,” the RCMP release reads. “Police have since learned that information related to the same property has been used in previous rental scam attempts.” Now, Mounties are reminding the public to never send a deposit or rent payment before viewing a property in person and sharing some other advice for those looking for a place to live. Police said prospective renters should be cautious if a landlord is asking for rent significantly below market value or pressuring them to act quickly. Renters should also be wary of landlords who claim to be out of town or unable to meet, should research the property address online and look for duplicate listings, and should verify the landlord’s identity and, if possible, their ownership of the property. “Finding affordable housing can be stressful, and scammers often take advantage of people who feel pressured to secure a place to live quickly,” said Insp. Donovan Tait, in the release. “Taking a few extra steps to verify a rental listing and the identity of the landlord can help prevent a significant financial loss.” Police advised anyone who believes they’ve been targeted in a rental scam to report it to their local police, their financial institution and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
