Warning signs
- The rent is well below similar places nearby.
- The "landlord" is out of the country or can't show you the unit in person.
- You're asked to pay a deposit or first month's rent before you've seen the place or signed anything.
- You're asked to pay by wire transfer, cryptocurrency, gift cards or another method that is hard to trace.
- The listing photos appear elsewhere under a different address or name.
- You're pressured to decide quickly because "many people are interested".
- The person asks for your social insurance number or banking details early on.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre describes the same patterns.
How to check
- See the unit in person, or have someone you trust visit, before paying anything.
- Search the address and the photos online. Look for the same photos on other listings.
- If you're dealing with a property management company, confirm its licence with the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA). Companies that manage rentals for others in Alberta generally need a RECA licence.
- Ask for ID and confirm that the person has the right to rent out the property.
- Don't pay until you have a written lease, and get a receipt for every payment.
- In Calgary, check any suite on the City's Secondary Suite Registry.
If you've been targeted
- Stop contact and don't send more money.
- Contact your bank or payment provider right away.
- Report it to your local police service and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
- Report the listing to the website where you found it.
General information only, not legal advice. The Residential Tenancies Act and its regulations are the final word; check the official sources above or get legal advice for your situation.