Several rental scams reported in Waterloo’s University District: WRPS
Waterloo regional police are sounding the alarm after receiving several reports of rental fraud in the University District this month.
According to police, in one instance on Aug. 14, an individual sent an e-transfer to a person who advertised they had an apartment to rent within Waterloo’s University District.
Once the money was sent, the would-be renter told police they were cut off from contact and were never able to view the apartment or rent it.
Police said the victim later learned that the rental property was a scam and reported the incident to police.
Police are offering the following tips for renters to consider before sending money:
- Schedule a viewing of the property and confirm that the property exists
- Be suspicious if asked to transfer money electronically or wire money out of the country
- Know what reasonable rental rates are
- Review your contract thoroughly and have a friend or family member view it as well
- Be suspicious if there appears to be urgency or pressure to get the deal done quickly
- Be suspicious if they are avoiding your questions
- If the deal appears too good to be true, it likely is
Waterloo regional police are encouraging renters to limit the amount of personal information or banking information they share in any transaction.
Police said if the post or rental property is a scam, the fraudster may use your information for identity fraud purposes.
If you have been a rental scam victim, you can contact the ad publisher, file a complaint with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and make a report to police.
UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO GIVES ADVICE
The University of Waterloo (UW) said rental scams are a worry every year.
Glen Weppler, the director of housing at UW, said international students could be more at risk.
“They don't know the culture. They don't know the area. They don't necessarily understand what a reasonable rental rate is,” said Weppler. “But, certainly, when it comes to housing, there are some different risks. The university is aware of that, and we've put a lot of resources in place to help support them.”
There are around 40,000 students that go to UW. Close to 7,000 are housed on campus.
“A significant portion of the students do rent off campus,” said Weppler. “That’s why we have lots of resources in place, to support students because we know many of them live off campus.”
Students can find some of those resources on the university website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Mayday!': New details emerge after Boeing plane makes emergency landing at Mirabel airport
New details suggest that there were communication issues between the pilots of a charter flight and the control tower at Montreal's Mirabel airport when a Boeing 737 made an emergency landing on Wednesday.
Trudeau appears unwilling to expand proposed rebate, despite pressure to include seniors
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau does not appear willing to budge on his plan to send a $250 rebate to 'hardworking Canadians,' despite pressure from the opposition to give the money to seniors and people who are not able to work.
Hit man offered $100,000 to kill Montreal crime reporter covering his trial
Montreal news outlet La Presse says a hit man offered $100,000 to have one of its crime reporters assassinated.
Cucumbers sold in Ontario, other provinces recalled over possible salmonella contamination
A U.S. company is recalling cucumbers sold in Ontario and other Canadian provinces due to possible salmonella contamination.
Trudeau says no question incoming U.S. president Trump is serious on tariff threat
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says incoming U.S. president Donald Trump's threats on tariffs should be taken seriously.
Insurgents breach Syria's second-largest city Aleppo in shock offensive
Insurgents breached Syria's second-largest city Aleppo after blowing up two car bombs on Friday and were clashing with government forces on the city's western edge, according to a Syria war monitor and fighters.
Here's how thick ice needs to be to park a truck on it, according to Sask. Water Security Agency
The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency (WSA) says ice should be at least one foot (30 centimetres) thick before it's safe to drive a car or light truck on a frozen body of water.
Democratic lawmakers from Connecticut report Thanksgiving bomb threats against their homes
At least six Democratic members of Congress from Connecticut were targeted by bomb threats on their homes Thursday, the lawmakers or their offices said.
Latest updates: Tracking RSV, influenza, COVID-19 in Canada
As the country heads into the worst time of year for respiratory infections, the Canadian respiratory virus surveillance report tracks how prevalent certain viruses are each week and how the trends are changing week to week.