Rental Scams in Chatham-Kent: How to Protect Yourself Before You Sign
- Sarah Molnar
- Jul 30
- 2 min read
Searching for a rental home in Chatham-Kent can be exciting—but it also comes with risks. Unfortunately, rental scams are on the rise, and unsuspecting tenants are often the target. At Paragon Property Management & Maintenance, we’re committed to protecting tenants and educating our community about how to spot fraud before it happens.
In this blog, we’ll break down common rental scams in Chatham-Kent, teach you how to protect your personal information, and share safe practices for paying deposits and rent.
Common Rental Scams in Chatham-Kent
Fraudsters use a variety of tactics to trick tenants into paying for a property that either doesn’t exist or isn’t actually for rent. Some of the most common scams include:
Fake Rental Listings – Scammers copy real listings from property websites and repost them with their own contact details, often at a price that’s “too good to be true.”
Pressure to Pay a Deposit Upfront – Fraudsters demand a deposit before you’ve seen the property in person.
No In-Person Showings – They refuse to meet you or claim they are “out of town,” pushing you to pay without proper verification.
Requests for Sensitive Information – Some scammers ask for your banking information before even approving your application.
Tip: If it sounds suspicious or the price seems unrealistic, trust your instincts and walk away.
How to Protect Your Personal Information
When applying for a rental property, you should never be asked to provide:
Your SIN number (unless for a credit check by a verified property manager)
Banking login details
Cash payments or gift cards
Reputable property managers, like Paragon Property Management, use secure online portals for applications and credit checks. Always confirm that you are working with a legitimate property management company in Chatham-Kent before sharing any personal details.
Safe Ways to Pay Deposits and Rent
If a landlord or property manager asks for a deposit:
Verify ownership this can be done through land registry or tax bills (reputable property managers always verify ownership before working with clients).
Request a signed lease agreement before sending any money.
Use secure payment methods such as e-transfer to an official company account, not personal accounts.
Avoid cash payments—they’re difficult to track and recover.
What To Do If You Suspect a Rental Scam
If you believe you’ve encountered a fraudulent listing:
Do not send any money or personal information.
Report the listing to the platform it’s posted on.
Contact local authorities or the Chatham-Kent Police Service Fraud Unit.
Notify the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
By reporting scams, you help protect other tenants in our community.
Your Trusted Partner in Safe Rentals
At Paragon Property Management & Maintenance, we take tenant safety seriously. We verify every property, provide secure online application portals, and ensure all transactions are transparent.
If you’re looking for a safe, legitimate rental in Chatham-Kent, browse our listings or contact our team today.
Comments