Renter safety tools

Is this rental listing a scam?

Rental scams are everywhere, and the fake listings keep getting better. Start by checking the address against New Brunswick's official property records, then run the warning signs for a full read before you send a cent.

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Check the address against government records

A map will drop a pin on an address that does not exist. We check New Brunswick’s actual property records, so we can tell you if the address is real, whether a building stands there, and what the property truly is. If a listing says “cozy house” but the records say vacant lot or business, you will know.

Type the address exactly as the listing gives it, even if nothing appears in the list. An address we cannot find is itself a warning sign, so verify it anyway.

Then check the listing and the person

An address can be real and the deal still be a scam. Run through these warning signs too.

Check every statement that is true about the listing or the person.

You were asked to send money (e-transfer, wire, gift card, or crypto) before seeing the place or signing a lease.The landlord says they are out of the country or cannot meet you in person.They refused an in-person or video viewing before payment.The rent is well below similar places nearby.They are pressuring you to pay a deposit quickly to “hold” the unit.They will not give you the full address until you pay.They asked for more than one month's rent up front, or first and last plus extra fees.The photos look too polished, or you found the same photos on another listing.

The most common rental scams

Most rental scams follow the same script: a listing that looks great for the price, a landlord who is conveniently out of town, and pressure to e-transfer a deposit to "hold" it before you can see the place. The photos are often stolen from a real listing elsewhere.

The single best protection is simple: never send money until you have seen the unit, met the person, and signed a lease. In New Brunswick a deposit can never be more than one month's rent. It is held by Service NB, not the landlord.

Common questions

How do I check if a rental address is real?

Paste the listing address into the checker above. We look it up in New Brunswick's official civic-address and property-assessment records to confirm the address exists, what type of property it is, and whether a building actually stands there. If an address will not confirm, that is one of the strongest signs of a fake listing.

How can I tell if a rental listing is a scam?

The biggest red flags are being asked to send money before you see the place and a landlord who cannot meet in person or refuses a viewing. A price well below similar rentals is another warning sign. If you spot any of these, slow down and verify before paying anything.

What should I do if I think a listing is a scam?

Do not send money. Reverse-image-search the photos, insist on an in-person or live video viewing, and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

How does NestEazy prevent rental scams?

Every landlord and tenant on NestEazy is identity-verified before they can use the app, and listings are screened for fraud patterns. You are never left guessing whether someone is real.