As online rental scams increase across Saskatchewan, local organizations are joining forces to alert the public. The Saskatchewan Realtors Association (SRA), the Saskatchewan Landlord Association (SKLA), and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) are warning that fraudsters are getting more sophisticated – and the consequences for tenants can be devastating.
“We’re seeing scammers use information from our MLS system – like photos and addresses of homes listed for sale – to create false rental ads,” says Chris Guérette, CEO of the SRA. “They’re not the owners or the Realtors. They’re posing as landlords, collecting deposits, and disappearing.”
Victims left in crisis
The impact of these scams can be far more than financial. In some cases, renters have physically moved into properties, believing they had secured a legitimate lease, only to be discovered by the true owner or Realtor.
“When someone has already left their previous home and discovers their new place isn’t really theirs, that’s a crisis situation,” Guérette says. “They often have nowhere else to go.”
The BBB is also raising flags. “Scammers shift their tactics constantly,” says Karen Smith, CEO of BBB Saskatchewan. “They’ve increasingly turned to online platforms to commit fraud. We urge consumers to check legitimate businesses on BBB.org and to sign up for scam alerts.”
Market conditions ripe for fraud
A tight rental market is contributing to the problem. “The rental market is experiencing higher rents and strong demand, which makes it an opportune time for scammers,” says Cameron Choquette, CEO of the SKLA. “If a property seems too good to be true and you’re being asked for money upfront, it could be a red flag.”
In some extreme cases, scammers have even arranged locksmith appointments for fake tenants to access properties using illegitimate rental agreements.
How to protect yourself
The SRA and its partners recommend the following best practices to avoid falling victim:
- Never send money to a rental housing provider before viewing the property and signing a tenancy agreement.
- Verify legitimacy by connecting with the landlord in person or by phone, and ensuring the property is actually available.
- Ask questions – a legitimate landlord will be transparent about the rental process.
- Cross-check listings by searching the address on realtor.ca and contacting the Realtor listed if it appears as a for-sale property.
“If you see a property listed for both rent and sale, call the Realtor on file,” Guérette advises. “And if you suspect fraud – even if you didn’t fall for it – call the police and report it.”