If a two-bedroom two-bathroom condo in Greater Victoria for $1,100 sounds too good to be true, thatB次元官网网址檚 because it is.

Graham Bell found such a listing for a condo in the Oak Bay building he lives in. A member of the strata executive, he followed up on the Craigslist post and discovered it was an apartment recently sold, with photos featured the same as the real estate listing.

B次元官网网址淚f it appears to be too good a deal, it probably isnB次元官网网址檛 a good idea,B次元官网网址� Bell said.

He reported the ad to Craigslist immediately, but without a response email, felt it was prudent to alert Oak Bay Police Department as well, who reinforced his flag on Craigslist.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 hard for law enforcement to chase something like that,B次元官网网址� Bell said, citing the vague aol.com email address.

According to Deputy Chief Ray Bernoties of the Oak Bay Police Department, scammers create fraudulent classified ads, often online, for rentals available in a preferred location.

Ads are usually posted with a below-average asking price to encourage urgency. They use high demand to encourage speedy response without viewing.

B次元官网网址淪cammers can make you feel rushed into making a decision so you need to take your time and, if youB次元官网网址檙e feeling pressured, it should sound your little alarm bells,B次元官网网址� Bernoties said.

Sometimes they issue a false rental questionnaire seeking personal information such as banking details, contact information, occupation, income and more.

B次元官网网址淩enters should be very cautious about giving cash deposits or wiring money for a property and should carefully the assess the property prior to providing any funds whatsoever,B次元官网网址� said Bernoties. B次元官网网址淭he scammers will prefer to do business by email or text than meeting you personally at the property. Landlords do not require your personal bank account information, so you should not provide it.B次元官网网址�

Frequently, scams include an absent landlord where rent is discounted to get good tenants who will take care of the property while they are away on business. Sometimes showings are unavailable but a B次元官网网址渇ull refundB次元官网网址� is assured if the rental does not meet the consumerB次元官网网址檚 satisfaction. Once an offer is accepted, consumers are asked for first and last monthsB次元官网网址� rent in exchange for the keys which are promised via express mail.

In the Oak Bay case, the condo in B次元官网网址淥ak BeachB次元官网网址� existed, but is not available for lease or rent. ItB次元官网网址檚 even been redecorated since the images posted were taken.

B次元官网网址淧olitely asking for their identification can help you assess their legitimacy,B次元官网网址� Bernoties said. B次元官网网址淭alking to neighbours about the property can help to determine whether it is, in fact, a rental property.

Bell hopes he nipped it in the bud, but thereB次元官网网址檚 no way to know who might have already sent a deposit on the place.

In the meantime, theyB次元官网网址檒l post a sign on the front door to alert anyone who might come looking, to alert them of the scam.

According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation the rental rate is 0.7 per cent for a two-bedroom in Greater Victoria with an average rental rate of $1,288. James Bay had one of the highest two-bedroom rents and Esquimalt was the lowest at $1,090. (late 2017 report).

Warning signs:

B次元官网网址� When searching for rentals, go to the address. Schedule a showing and confirm its availability.

B次元官网网址� Request a lease/contract. Review it thoroughly.

B次元官网网址� Complete open source searches on rental addresses to ensure itB次元官网网址檚 not a duplicate post.

B次元官网网址� Do not send funds to strangers.

B次元官网网址� Contact Equifax and Transunion if youB次元官网网址檝e provided sensitive information on applications.

B次元官网网址� Go with your gut. If it seems fishy it probably is.

B次元官网网址�