RentFaster.ca has implemented several measures to prevent scams from taking place through this website. However, please still be cautious, and if you have any questions please contact us.
Tip: Google a prospective landlord/tenant/company name before entering a rental agreement.
Prospective Tenant Scamming the Landord
Here is how the main type of scam works:
The prospective tenant (aka 'the scammer') will OVERPAY by sending a cheque or money order for more than you have requested. They will then ask you to deposit the money and send the excess to one of their associates (ie. other family member). The Landlord is caught in the scam if the bank does not realize the forgery (NSF) until after the landlord has already sent the money back to the scammer. Please avoid dealing with people who overpay and ask you to send the additional money back to them or to someone else.
This alert is not meant to discourage Landlords from renting to people from out-of-town. Just please be cautious when dealing with all prospective tenants, and never accept overpayment if having to send the additional monies elsewhere.
Landlord Scamming Prospective Tenant
Here is an example of one type scam:
Upon contacting the "landlord", the renter receives an email like this:
Hello,
Thanks for your interest in my apartment,I will like to let you know the apartment is still very much available . I do reside in the apartment when I was there in Canada with my wife and two kids and our lovely yorkie pup. We got transferred to Western part of Africa (Nigeria) for a missionary assignment by our church, and all the keys and the document of the flat are with me right here ,If you are really interested in this apartment. I will like you to fill the rent application form below and send it back to me so that I can make an arrange on how the keys and other document that will be sent to you via DHL Int'l, FedEx or UPS Express for safety and fast delivery of the document. The apartment is not a shared apartment, its all for you and your family. That's why I really need your maximum assistant in tidy up the place .
There are possibly other variations of this type of scam.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Grow-Op Information: What to look for
Recently we worked with local police services to create a grow-op information page. The page is full of advice regarding tenant screening, indicators of a grow-op occurring, pictures, and other tips that should help prevent this from taking place in your rental property.
edmonton.rentfaster.ca/grow-ops.php
Please contact us if you have any questions.
