Rental scams on the rise in Sask.
Saskatchewan appears to be seeing more rental scams on sites like Craigslist and Kijiji lately.
It's a problem Brian Templeton knows firsthand.
He rents properties in Regina and had one of his listings and photos stolen and re-purposed online.
A scammer claimed to be the owner of one of Templeton's properties and offered it for rent.
The frauster asked potential rents to to send him an e-transfer deposit between $200 and $500.
"Landlords, that's their primary way of advertising their homes nowadays is online. So if this keeps happening, if there are more and more houses online that are fraudulent, well that really damages that avenue," Templeton said.
The homeowner heard from a couple from Nova Scotia who was nearly duped by the fake ad.
"I told them, just don't send any money over the internet unless you've actually seen the place," he said.
The Better Business Bureau also said it is important for renters to understand the market.
"What's being offered for the monthly rent you're being asked to pay? Who, in this province, is renting on a month to month basis? Not many," says Pat Heffernan, CEO of the Better Business Bureau in Regina.
He said renters should always see the property for themselves, meet the landlord in person and if possible, employ a broker who is familiar with the city.
Police are asking any victims to report the crime to them.
