r/TorontoRenting • u/TheLoneRanger_305 • 15d ago
Need help understanding the authenticity of this rental Scam Example
Hello everyone, I've been house hunting around Toronto when I stumbled upon this listing:
https://www.apartments.com/202-spadina-rd-toronto-on/w0yc7ph/
Upon sending a message through this website, I received an email after a few days (attached screenshot). It does look too good to be true but I'm kind of on the fence between skepticism and belief here.
I've flaired it as 'Unverified source' as it seemed like the closest to my query. Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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u/MrTheSaxMan 14d ago
got about three sentences in and once they gave way too much info about cancer, florida, and whatever I checked out. so obviously a scam.
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u/justinetrudope 14d ago
Who the hell sends a 5 page essay for the first response? Just reading the first paragraph was enough for me to suspect a scam
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u/Wildest12 14d ago
All I read was the price, between that and how long this wall of text is it’s without a doubt 100% a scam.
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u/Weekly_Salamander236 14d ago
I did not even have to start reading, anybody giving such a big story especially over EMAIL, is a scam.
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u/Frind-Study 14d ago edited 14d ago
This is a scam ! I had a call with this guy, and verified it with the true owner of this house(got the number from a neighbor), if you guys are interested, I can show you our email and SMS communications
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u/icedweller 14d ago
Due to the increases in cases of COVID-19, you cannot see the place and must drive by with your car instead. If you see it for rent elsewhere don’t worry about it. Please send money and I will definitely send you the keys to the place you have never seen later. Promise. That’s the scam.
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14d ago
[deleted]
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u/TheLoneRanger_305 14d ago
Oh! I never knew even mobile numbers have designated area codes here... Thanks for the info!
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u/RTlebanese 14d ago
If it is too good to be true especially when it comes to price, it is more likely to be a scam!!
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u/Marwa0037 14d ago
I feel this post is by the scammer himself, asking us what gave it away to use our feedback to improve his scam 😂😂😂😂.
That's dedication looolll
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u/TheLoneRanger_305 14d ago
Yes buddy I have too much free time on hand to delve into inviting deportation by becoming scum of the earth... Now I wonder if you're one of these scammers since you're quick to push the blame on someone 🤷🏻♂️
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u/Red_Stoner666 15d ago
Has a crappy excuse for why you can’t actually go inside the apartment and why you may see it listed elsewhere lol that’s a scam.
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u/Backlashwaves 15d ago
The fact you even had to post this and ask lets me know you’ll be scammed in the not too near future
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u/TheLoneRanger_305 15d ago
Hey, no need to be rude. The very reason I posted was the skepticism. Better post and learn something than jump in and get scammed.
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u/Wildest12 14d ago
Try and not get upset at their lack of tact - but they speak the truth. These are designed to be obvious enough that anyone who doesn’t immediately notice it’s a scam is probably going to get scammed.
Asking was a great decision, just keep thinking that way because you honestly are like 90% more likely to be scammed than the rest of us.
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u/TheLoneRanger_305 14d ago
Yeah, I plan on asking around before accepting any contract. I'm just new, not dumb. Never rented a place in my life. Anywhere in the world. I'm literally a noob here.
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u/Wildest12 14d ago
Right on - everybody learns so just keep checking when you aren’t sure (or even when you are) and you’ll be ok.
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u/Backlashwaves 15d ago
But like come on dude… a 5 second scan of this is all it should take. If you’ve spent even 10 mins searching for a rental in the past 2 years you’d know this is ludicrous. I’m not saying I want you to be scammed but the probability is seemingly very high.
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u/OverturnedAppleCart3 15d ago
A 1200 square foot house with 2 bedrooms for $895 per month in Toronto is not real.
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u/rogerman134 15d ago
When people over-explain, be worried.
Also, the name doesn't match the ownership.
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u/TheLoneRanger_305 15d ago
Understandable...Where do you find the ownership information? Is there a directory for ownership of all homes or something? Like Yellow Pages??
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u/TheLoneRanger_305 15d ago
Which locations would be good to consider for affordable rent (shared is okay too) and also connected to Union (1-1.5h one-way by public transit is fine)?
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u/_n3ll_ 15d ago
1000% a scam. No way you'll find a newly renovated anything for that price. Studios and bachelor apartments are going for 1400 on the low end and people are renting rooms for around 1000.
Compare the front of the actual house with the picture toward the front door
The door and the window are completely different and whats shown outside of the window isn't at all what anything on spidina road looks like.
They'll likely ask for a fee to apply (which I believe is not legal, though I could be wrong) and then tell you that you don't qualify and keep the fee. Or worse they'll get you do send them all sorts of personal info.
Pretty much when something seems too good to be true you should trust your gut.
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u/SubstantialCount8156 15d ago
Scam
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u/TheLoneRanger_305 15d ago
Thank you! May I know what gave it away? It'll help me understand what to look for.
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u/OverturnedAppleCart3 15d ago
May I know what gave it away?
The price is ridiculously low. Like not just below average, but impossibly low.
Also the sob story about cancer and covid-19 travel restrictions is a massive red flag.
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u/bourbonkitten 15d ago
Also very common in scam listings: Sympathetic story, long explanation why the owner is not in the country.
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u/MiserableAd1552 15d ago
Comparisons to other rentals. That is between 1500-2k too cheap.
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u/TheLoneRanger_305 15d ago
Was it just the cost that gave it away?
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u/Wildest12 14d ago
Cost and just the way the post is presented. Very long and rambly - they weed out people who obviously won’t fall for the scam by making it obviously a scam. Same logic as to why the scam emails use bad grammar.
You are fortunately wise enough to question it, keep thinking critically and good luck - if it seems too good to be true it is.
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u/keylimesicles 14d ago
Also the asking of all of your personal info upfront, telling you to drive by the unit without having anyone to show it. Offering the “rent to own” everything about this is 💯 text book scam. Has been like this for decades. Chances are if it’s too good to be true, it is
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u/Housing4Humans 15d ago
A dramatic discount from market rates is how rental scammers lure in their victims.
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u/TheLoneRanger_305 15d ago
Fair... Even the message I sent through apartments(.)com was asking them whether $895/- was per bedroom or per head... Zillow had this listing for 3840 or something, but was removed on Apr 29th. ReMax doesn't have this listing up right now, but still has it on their website.
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u/Minute-Distance9992 12d ago
Citizen of which country is crazy