Houses For Rent, Housing Wanted & Apartments

How to be careful, and avoid scams, spam and fraud

Any time you post your e-mail address, or phone number on the internet, you will inevitably get a few inquiries that seem "sketchy" or "too good to be true. In reality, if anyone contacting you about a listing you have posted seems like they are a scammer or fraudster, they probably are. Scammers work by sheer numbers and volume. Most of the scam attempts are automated, and scammers work off a less than 1 percent success rate.
Here are some tips and advice for you to minimize any problems, and to ensure your safety:

Our #1 Tip - IGNORE IT AND DELETE IT!

1) DEAL LOCALLY WITH PEOPLE AND ONLY MEET THEM IN PERSON - follow this one basic rule and you will avoid almost all of the scam and fraud attempts. If someone cannot meet you personally, they are a scammer.

2) Never send money via mail to anyone, or do not entertain the idea of "cashing a checque" from someone that you do not know

3) NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION or any other money-wire service. If you are asked to do this the person asking is almost certainly fraudulent.

4) Never give out any personal or financial information to anyone.

5) If you post your e-mail address online, try to use one that you don't really care much about, or that doen't identify you in any way. See about setting up a separate e-mail address that you use only for online shopping or postings. Expect that this address will start to get spam.

6) If you are meeting with a potential renter, landlord, or property manager, we recommend taking a friend or family member with you. Don't do it alone.

7) You can report them to the Canadian Phonebusters - Or call their hotline at 888-495-8501. "If you suspect that you may be a target of fraud, or if you have already sent funds - you're not alone." Call Phonebusters to report it!

8) Another place to report fraud: http://recol.ca/intro.aspx?lang=en

REMEMBER - If you think it is a scam, it probably is. The best advice is to ignore any spam or scam attempts. Answering them in any way, shape or form only encourages the scammer more.