Avoiding Real Estate Scams
When looking for a new place to live, whether a rental unit or house for sale, there are a few steps you should follow to avoid falling prey to real estate scams.
🔎 If it looks too good to be true — it probably is
- Compare the price to similar properties in the same location with similar features.
- Be cautious of very low-resolution or overly professional photos (e.g., model homes) for privately sold or rented properties.
- Beware of unusually low rent or sale prices — if it seems far below market value, it may be a scam.
📋 Do your homework
- Confirm that you can view the property in person before putting down a deposit.
- Watch out for claims that the seller or landlord is overseas or “unavailable” — this is a common tactic used by scammers who do not actually own the property.
- Search the address online; if it appears on multiple sites under different owners or descriptions, it may be fraudulent.
🕵️♂️ Check the details
- Be wary of overly flowery rental descriptions or long lists of features irrelevant to renters — scammers often copy content from other listings.
- Verify property details such as number of bedrooms, amenities, and exact location.
- Never provide sensitive personal information (age, occupation, income, gender, banking details, SIN) in response to an ad — this can be used for identity theft.
- Confirm the ownership or management of the property using local land registry or municipal property records when possible.
👤 Verify the landlord or seller
- Ask for the owner or property manager’s full name and contact info.
- Speak directly via phone or video call if possible.
- Check online reviews or business directories for verification.
🚫 Avoid suspicious practices
- Never wire money or pay via gift cards or cash transfers to secure a property.
- Avoid listings that pressure you to pay a deposit immediately before seeing the property.
- Be cautious of foreign-sounding accounts or emails claiming urgency or special deals.
🤝 Safe rental and purchase practices
- Always view the property in person before signing any contract or paying a deposit.
- Use secure payment methods that leave a trace, such as e-transfers or cheques made out to the verified landlord or property management company.
- If meeting in person, choose a public or safe location to discuss paperwork if the landlord or agent is not on-site.
Remember: Legitimate landlords or sellers will never ask for large sums of money upfront without allowing you to inspect the property. Always verify the details first to protect yourself from real estate scams.
