A rental scam targeting a local resident was stopped in time thanks to quick thinking and a healthy dose of skepticism.
On Sunday, April 11, a Trail RCMP officer received a report from a resident who had responded to an online rental ad.
The alleged landlord requested $2,100 for one month’s rent and a $1,050 damage deposit.
Suspicious, the would-be renter contacted a local realtor, who confirmed the home was not available for rent and had recently been sold.
No money was sent, and the scam was avoided.
“Please take the time to do your due diligence as this person did,” said Sgt. Mike Wicentowich.
“It may save you a lot of money by spending a little time verifying the details.”
The RCMP continues to urge anyone searching for housing to verify rental listings through legitimate sources and avoid sending money before seeing a property in person.
The attempted scam comes on the heels of two recent cases in Trail where renters were not as fortunate.
In late March, a 26-year-old Trail woman reported losing $2,700 after transferring money to someone she believed was a landlord.
The scammer used fake identification and had no legal ties to the advertised property.
“Rental properties are hard to find due to a general shortage of quality, affordable residences in the area,” Wicentowich said.
He advises renters not to send money electronically before meeting the landlord or agent at the residence, as doing so helps reduce the risk of being defrauded.
“This could happen to anyone,” he added.
A week earlier, on March 17, a 24-year-old man from Surrey lost $1,680 to a similar scheme.
After finding a listing on social media, he paid upfront to secure the rental. When he later requested a home inspection, the scammer demanded additional funds. When the man refused, all communication stopped. The money was never recovered.
These incidents highlight a growing trend of online rental frauds preying on people searching for housing in a tight market.
Police are urging the public to be cautious, verify listings independently, and report suspicious activity.
More information and tips on how to avoid falling victim to rental scams can be found on the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website.
