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Florida Condo Rental Scam

Scam artists are creating fake online advertisements for vacation properties they don’t own.

NORFOLK COUNTY - Norfolk OPP are warning snowbirds about a rental scam before the head south.

A Port Dover resident lost $2,350 after they responded to an online rental ad for a condo in Vero Beach Florida in October. The victim had sent the money to the fraudster through a bank transfer after communicating through e-mail. It was later determined the actual owner of the condo was selling the property and not renting it.

Officers say scammers have been advertising vacation properties that don't actually belong to them for bargain prices online.

To avoid becoming a victim make sure to speak with the actual owner of the property you are interested in person, over the phone or through video chat. Also be sure to ask lots of questions about the property itself, before deciding if you want to go for it or move on to the next one.

Constable Ed Sanchuk says we need to be extra cautious when transferring funds.

"If we can eliminate the economic incentives for scammers, we can eliminate their behaviour completely. Renters, property managers, owners, and agents all need to continually stay educated on the various rental scams that are occurring."

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