Beware of Rental Scam in Vancouver
Vancouver REALTORs today received the following warning from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver about a rental deposit scam that is happening in Vancouver:
The Board has been alerted about a scam that is appearing on the Craigslist website. Someone posing as an agent has on several occasions placed an ad for a suite for rent on Craigslist offering it for rent for $1400, far below the market value. When people responded to the ad they were asked for a deposit and told the keys would be sent to them by mail delivery.
Those who contacted the real estate company reported their suspicions that this was a scam. To date, it is not known if anyone has fallen for the scan but members are advised to be aware of this in case it happens to one of their listings.
Catching the scammer may prove to be difficult as the ad keeps appearing and disappearing on Craigslist and the police have said there is little they can do about the situation.