Ontario Woman Scammed Out of $1,000 Deposit in Cottage Rental Fraud

For many, the Canada Day long weekend marks the official start of summer, and many families will spend time at a cottage. However, owning a cottage is out of reach for many, or they may only want to enjoy the cottage experience for a short period. If you’re looking to rent a cottage and using classified websites, be cautious of rental scams.

“We were all looking forward to this vacation because it was a very nice cottage,” said Homa Ashrafpour of Richmond Hill.

Ashrafpour found a cottage rental on Facebook Marketplace in March that seemed perfect for her family and guests, a group of about 13 people. She contacted the person in the ad and agreed to rent the cottage for one week in July, with a $1,000 deposit required.

After Ashrafpour e-transferred the $1,000, the seller cut off all communication. She later found the cottage listed in a different ad and called the phone number. The real owner of the cottage informed her she was not the first victim of this scam, as criminals were using his property in fraudulent listings.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) reports that cottage rental scams are prevalent on social media and classified websites. Victims have lost $308,000 to rental scams so far this year, with losses of $831,875 in 2023 and $737,102 in 2022.

Potential renters are advised to be wary of low prices, deal only with the cottage owner or a reputable rental service, and, if possible, view the property in person. If a deposit is required, consider using a credit card for added protection.

Due to high demand, it’s advisable to start searching for a cottage rental as early as December for the following summer.