Lethbridge police warn of uptick in rental scams

Lethbridge police are warning of an uptick in rental scams (Photo: Pexels)

Lethbridge police are warning the public about potential rental scammers who are active in the local housing market.

In a media release issued Thursday, police said they’ve received multiple reports of a scam from victims who posted on a Facebook group called “Pet Friendly Homes for Rent in Lethbridge.”

Victims were contacted by someone who said they had a property available to rent, but claimed to be out of town at the moment.

After victims viewed a fake listing, the fake landlord verified proof of employment, ID and references, then sent a rental agreement along with information to e-transfer a damage deposit and first month’s rent.

Once payment was received, the “landlord” stopped communicating with each victim.

Police advice renters to watch for the following possible red flags.

• Communicating exclusively through email;
• Claim to be out of town, another city or overseas;
• Won’t talk on phone or meet face-to-face;
• Won’t show the property in person;
• Want you to move in immediately before viewing the property;
• Rent is too good to be true or below market value;
• Vague listing with mostly outside photos; and
• Requesting damage deposit and first month’s rent via e-transfer without a rental agreement.

Police advise renters to insist on viewing the property in person before agreeing to any deals or sending any money.

• Research the property by looking up the address to see if it has a different owner’s name;
• Conduct a land titles search at a registry to identify the property owner;
• Ask to see property manager or landlord’s identification;
• Try to avoid using e-transfers;
• Read the rental agreement carefully before signing to ensure it doesn’t contain suspicious terms;
• Talk to other tenants if possible; and
• Use dedicated rental apps and don’t communicate outside the platform.