B.C. man's identity stolen, used in fake Craigslist rental ads: RCMP
A Burnaby, B.C., man's identity was stolen and is now being used in fake rental ads on Craigslist, Mounties said in a warning to tenants.
The RCMP said the man's identity was stolen through a ransomware attack in late 2021. It was leaked onto the dark web and has since been used in "various scams," police said.
Most recently, his identity was apparently used by someone to pose as a landlord seeking tenants in Vancouver.
"This victim is doing everything in their power to prevent further identity scams, but it keeps happening," said Cpl. Alexa Hodgins in a news release.
"Once your information has been leaked, shared or stolen, it is very hard to get back. We want the public to know the dangers of sharing their personal information online and to use the appropriate safeguards to prevent it."
Police said the victim reports when fake driver's licences, passports or Craiglist ads are used in his name.
In the rental fraud, police said the victim was contacted by potential tenants in three separate instances. One would-be tenant sent the victim copies of a fake driver's licence and fake passport they'd received from the fraudster.
"These potential renters did the right thing. They became suspicious and reached out to the person directly, instead of continuing communication through the Craigslist platform," Hodgins said.
"By doing this, they not only prevented sending money to the scammer but alerted the original identity theft victim of what was happening online in their name."
Late last month the Better Business Bureau of Mainland B.C. issued a warning to renters saying summer months can see a rise in scams.
"Students are looking to find their first homes after graduating from school, add that on to the pressure of families looking for vacation rentals, and this is the perfect storm for a scam artist looking to cash in," president Simone Lis said in a statement.
The average amount of money lost by Canadians in these scams is $1,230, which Lis says is a 160 per cent increase from 2021.
Police and the BBB said would-be tenants should look for warning signs while searching for listings online. Some red flags include the monthly rent being lower than other similar listings or being asked to leave a deposit before a formal rental agreement is in place.
Renters should go to the address – or search it online – and make sure the listing is accurate or schedule a showing and make sure the landlord is present.
The main advice offered by the BBB is to know the market. In Metro Vancouver that will almost always mean very high rents – even for small spaces and out-of-the-way locations.
"Scammers lure you in by promising low rents, extra amenities, and a great location," the agency said in a statement.
"If it seems too good to be true, it just might be."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Denial and uncertainty are looming over a Biden-Trump rematch 6 months out from U.S. Election Day
Exactly six months before Election Day, Biden and Trump are locked in the first contest in 112 years with a current and former president competing for the White House. It's a race that is at once deeply entrenched and highly in flux as many voters are only just beginning to embrace the reality of the 2024 campaign.
Israel closes Gaza crossing after Hamas attack and vows military operation 'in the very near future'
Israel closed its main crossing point for delivering badly needed humanitarian aid for Gaza on Sunday after Hamas militants attacked it, reportedly wounding several Israelis, while the defense minister warned of "a powerful operation in the very near future in Rafah and other places across all of Gaza."
Floods in southern Brazil kill at least 60, with 101 people missing
Massive floods in Brazil's southern Rio Grande do Sul state killed at least 60 people and another 101 were reported missing, according to Sunday's toll from local authorities.
opinion You don't need to be an influencer to earn income from social media
How legitimate are claims by some content creators that the average person can earn passive income from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram? Personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says it's quite possible, if you're willing to put in the initial time and effort.
‘Love has no boundaries’: Sask. couple in their 90s and 80s get married
Eighty-two-year-old Susan Neufeldt and 90-year-old Ulrich Richter are no spring chickens, but their love blossomed over the weekend with their wedding at Pine View Manor just outside of Rosthern.
What a judge's gag order on Trump means in his hush money case
A gag order bars Trump from commenting publicly on witnesses, jurors and some others connected to the matter. The New York judge already has found that Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, repeatedly violated the order, fined him US$9,000 and warning that jail could follow if he doesn't comply.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
Should you save or splurge on makeup this summer?
If you're wondering whether you should splurge or save when it comes to buying skincare products and makeup this summer, we got some answers for you.