BEWARE OF RENTAL SCAMS

FROM/DE: Grey County OPP DATE: September 23, 2015

(MUNICIPALITY OF MEAFORD, ON) – Grey County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) urge the public to beware of “rental scams” when planning their next weekend get-away vacation, or place to live.

A rental scam involves consumers contacting fraudsters through online classified advertising sites where a fraudulent posting of an apartment, house, condo or cottage rental is being listed. Once contact is made, the consumer is advised to send money upfront to secure the rental property. Money is usually sent via Western Union or Money Gram, but some payments have been made using bank to bank wire transfers, email money transfers or through internet payment services such as Paypal.

The consumer eventually discovers that the rental property is not available, and in some cases, doesn’t even exist.

On August 23, 2015, a Meaford resident, who had just listed her home for sale on MLS, received a call from an acquaintance stating she had seen the home on an USA rental site online.

Grey County OPP caution residents to be aware of this type of scam and offer the following warning signs:

- Being offered a great deal on a rental property in a prime location through online classified ads. - Seller advises that they are currently out of the country and need the funds to be sent in advance. - Consumer is advised to send funds to a foreign country by using Western Union or Money Gram.

Learn more: www.antifraudcentre.ca