At RentWhiz we take safety and security very seriously, so we do everything we can to make sure our community is a safe space and a safe place. In this week's blog we wanted to discuss various ways to identify postings that may be scams, fake or fraudulent. If you ever needed to read one of our blogs to the very end, this is probably the one. If you ever notice a posting that meets any of the criteria below, please flag it and report it as soon as possible so we can protect other people in the community. To report a posting, click on the 3 dots in the top right hand corner of the listing and click on “report post” or “report to group admins. To report a comment, tap and hold on the comment and click on “report post” or “report to group admins, you can find more details at this link. We will then block these individuals from all our groups and report them to Facebook, so they cannot cause any more harm. We also recommend reporting it to theCanadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC).
The Offer Seems Too Good to be True
If the offer for accommodation seems too good to be true, it usually is. If the price for rent seems to be a lot lower than other properties on the market, then it could be an attempt to try take advantage of you. Take the time to compare the listing to other listings in the Facebook group or on the market, and if it seems to be a lot lower, then it may be a scam.
They Have a Questionable Facebook Profile
If the person's Facebook profile is brand new (created less than 2 or 3 years ago), they have very few friends and have barely history on their Facebook wall/timeline, then chances are this is a fake account that was created for malicious purposes. Another way to identify these accounts is by looking at the pictures associated with it. If they look grainy, inconsistent or like stock photos, then it’s probably fake. Also pay attention to the person’s Facebook profile name, if it doesn’t seem like a legitimate name, then it probably isn’t.
They ask You for Payments, Credit Card Information or Bank Account Information
If someone ever asks you for financial information or details through one of our Facebook groups, do not provide it and please report the person or flag the posting. From a rental standpoint and from a group policy standpoint, there is no reason you would be required to provide financial information or details to someone until you have signed a lease, and even then we would recommend you do this in person or not until you have met the person.
They Claim to Not be Able to Meet You in Person
If the person from the posting claims they cannot meet you in person or cannot give you a tour of the property and insist on doing everything over the phone or via email, then this could be a red flag. We do understand in this day and age it is convenient to do things this way, but if someone who is offering you a chance to live in one of their properties does not want to meet you in person, then this is a bad sign. Would you ever let a stranger live in a property you owned for an extended period without meeting them?
They ask You for Personal Information
If someone asks for your personal information such as your Social Insurance Number (SIN), your date of birth or your student ID, then chances are this is a scam. From a rental standpoint and from a group policy standpoint, there is no reason you would be required to provide personal information or details to someone. There are some personal details that are required for a lease and possibly a background check, but if it’s for anything other than these purposes, then do not provide it to someone.
As a general rule of thumb, we encourage all users to post directly to our Facebook groups or at the very least keep the posting within Facebook. If you notice a posting is redirecting you to a website that you are not familiar with or your web browser or anti-virus software prompts you for permission to access the website, then chances are it is an unsafe website. If you see any postings like this, please flag them immediately.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC)
Last but not least, whenever in doubt, you always have theCanadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC). This website has resources that will help you identify scams and potential fraud coming in from all communication mediums (phone calls, text messages, social media, email etc.). So, if you are not sure, please visit their website to double check and make sure. And, if you think you may be the victim of fraud or a scam, please contact them for next steps and to help find a solution to the problem.