The Better Business Bureau is warning post-secondary students to be wary of rental scams when finding a home for the fall semester.
The bureau says a common scam involves online postings on sites like Craigslist and Kijiji. Students find listings with images of fully-furnished condos and apartments in prime locations with incredible prices.
The suites look too good to be true - and they are.
After inquiring about the suites, prospective buyers are told the landlord is currently in Africa, but will courier the keys after receiving a security deposit.
Better Business Bureau president Lynda Pasacreta says that college students and first-time renters should always exercise discretion with online postings.
"Recognize the red flags. A big red flag is being asked to wire money," she said. "The only people you should ever wire money to are your family. That's it."
The bureau offered a few key tips for prospective renters, including:
- Meeting your landlord and visiting the property before making any payments
- Using websites that provide real landlord contact information. Craiglist and Kijiji do not vet listings before posting.
- If you discover a scam, report it. Flag the posting with the website's administrators and call the police.
