Beware of back-to-school rental scams
Posted Aug 28, 2026 04:19:41 PM.
Waterloo regional police have issued a rental scam warning for post-secondary students and other residents looking for somewhere to live.
With back-to-school season here, police see an uptick in reported scams.
It includes fraudulent rental advertisements for properties that either aren’t available or don’t exist.
Police were called Aug. 22 when a victim in Waterloo said they provided $2,400 to an alleged “landlord” to secure a property, only to be ghosted and lose their deposit.
Police say these fraudsters will use images from real rental websites to make their offer appear legitimate. They’ll also list the property for a lower-than-usual price to increase interest.
The fake landlords will then request a deposit or first month’s rent, and once they get the money, they cease all contact.
Anyone with information on a rental scam is encouraged to notify the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) at 519-570-9777.
Police are also encouraging prospective renters to only use trusted platforms, obtain official documentation for any agreements and don’t send money before you sign.
