The desperate hunt for housing in Port Alberni has led to a sharp increase in rental scams.
House pictures and details are copied from real estate sites and posted online as rentals, often at a lower-than-average rates.
Jeff Horncastle from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says renters need to make sure to meet the landlord and actually tour the house as part of their due diligence and research.
“The number one thing is to make sure it’s actually up for rent, and that you’ve done your due dilligence and research before you send that first and last month’s payment for rent,” he said.
Horncastle recommends people “Take 5”, to think about it, discuss with people you know, and as the old cliche goes: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
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