SASKATOON – Police are warning potential renters in Saskatoon to beware of some ads for places to live. Police say the current scam is a common one involving rental properties.
The scammers use online ads to list properties for rent that they do not own. They typically use photos from local real estate listings or other rent ads when making their fake advertisement.
They then list the property at an enticing price.
Once contacted by a prospective renter, the scammer states they are out of town. They then ask for the damage deposit to be sent to them using a money wire or electronic deposit to hold the property.
When the money is sent, the renter never hears back from their potential landlord.
READ MORE: How to recognize and avoid online phishing scams
Police say the best way to protect yourself against this scam is to insist on viewing the property and not to send money to someone you don’t know.
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