What to do if you think a rental listing is fake

What to do if you think a rental listing is fake

Rental scams exist on almost every listing platform in Canada. If something about a listing feels off, trust that instinct. Here's how to assess the situation and what to do next.

Common signs a listing may be fake

• The rent is significantly below the average for that neighbourhood and unit type
• The photos look too professional or appear on multiple listings with different addresses
• The landlord is unavailable to show the unit in person and offers only virtual tours or photos
• You're asked to pay a deposit or first and last month's rent before signing a lease or viewing the unit
• The landlord asks for unusual personal information early in the conversation such as your SIN or banking details
• Communication is rushed, pressured, or full of grammatical errors
• The listing was recently posted and the account has no history or verification

What to do if you're suspicious

Step 1: Do a reverse image search Take one of the listing photos and run it through Google Images or a similar tool. If the same photo appears in multiple listings under different addresses or cities, it's a strong indicator of fraud.

Step 2: Search the address independently Look up the address on Google Maps and cross-reference it with other listing platforms. If the unit appears elsewhere at a different price or under a different landlord's name, flag it.

Step 3: Stop communicating and do not send money If you suspect fraud, stop responding. Do not send any money under any circumstances, including e-transfers, wire transfers, or gift cards. Legitimate landlords will never ask for payment before a lease is signed and a viewing has taken place.

Step 4: Report the listing Report the listing to the platform where you found it. On liv.rent, all landlords are ID-verified before listings go live, which significantly reduces the risk of fake listings. If you encounter something suspicious, use the in-platform reporting tool.

Step 5: Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre If you believe you've encountered a scam, you can report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.