The Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan has issued a warning regarding a rental scam currently taking place in the province.

The FCAA says one type of online scam they are seeing is where fake landlords lure would-be renters with pictures of properties they don’t actually own. It’s important to watch for red flags and make sure you are dealing with a legitimate person.

The tenants unknowingly sign a lease agreement that is fake and send a payment which is supposed to cover rent for the first month and provide a security deposit. Once payment is received the fraudster disappears and the victim doesn’t receive access to the property, or in an extreme instance, a locksmith is contact who gives the want to be tenant access obviously causing problems for both them and the actual property owner.

Things you can do to ensure the situation is legitimate include meeting the landlord in person or at least via a phone call. Always inspect the property first and whenever possible ask to tour it with the landlord. Be concerned if the landlord asks for money right away. Security deposits and rental payments should never be paid until you have seen the rental property and if the rent seems too low as in too good to be true then it probably is.

The Moose Jaw Police Service also issued a warning on Tuesday with a similar scam having been reported in that community.