Windsor police are warning the public about a rental scam.
Investigators say a woman looking for an apartment discovered she was communicating with a scammer posing as a landlord. She reported it to police, fortunately, before any money or personal information was exchanged.
Police say the rental scam involves fraudulent advertisements on Kijiji or other ad posting websites with houses or apartments for rent.
Authorities say the scammers quickly try to steer the conversation away from the website to private e-mail or phone conversations, and once they have you interested in the property, they try to get first and last month's rent or some other security payment.
Police say scammers often provide excuses as to why they're unable to show the property, such as, they live or work out of town and that the keys will be sent or left at the house.
Windsor police remind tenants seeking property to be vigilant, do some research and recognize the warning signs before sending money or personal information to someone they haven't met.
For more information on the rental scam visit the Canadian Fraud Centre website and if you are a victim of the scam, call Windsor police at 519-255-6700 ext. 4330 or Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 (TIPS).
