How can I prevent a potentially fraudulent ad?

Please find below the tips of the City of Montreal Police Department (SPVM) to prevent fraud:

• The address of a rental unit should be indicated in the ad.

• By searching on the Internet for the address of the rental unit, it is possible to see if people have been victims of fraud.

• By searching the Internet with the images of an advertisement, it is possible to see if they have already been published on other sites. Sometimes fraudsters use pictures from other ads. Photos that are too professional could indicate fraud.

• To check if a photo is used on other sites, go to Google Images, click on the camera icon and follow the instructions

• Enter the address of the building in Google Maps and compare certain architectural elements (shape of the windows, presence of a balcony, type of front door, etc.)

• A landlord should be reachable by phone, not just by email.

• When you are contacted by email, your exchange should not sound generic

• Visit the apartment before signing the lease (not a neighboring or similar unit)

• Meeting with neighbors can be a way to validate that the unit is indeed for rent and that the landlord is who they say they are.

• Check the municipal assessment roll to validate the name of the landlord

• If an offer seems too good to be true, it is probably a fraud.

Find all the details by clicking here