Type of a scam Rental
I responded to an add on RentSpot for an apartment in downtown Calgary. I verified the address as real. However the scammer wanted to handle the transaction per the Air B&B or Homeaway model. That is agree on terms, send damage deposit and first months rent to a supposed third party. This was identified as Chiefly rentals, website: https://www.chieflyrentals.com/renters/#toggle-id-9. Then, with money held by the third party, the keys were to be courriered to me, I view the apt and if unacceptable, i request a refund and it would be sent within 1-3 days.
Checked out the third party web site. Elaborate, detailed development and looked legitimate. The scammer had this apt in a new building in downtown Calgary at $750/month. Elaborate reasoning put into the email as to why the rent was low.
Suspicious due to the payment prior to viewing the apt or getting keys, I eventually went to the address and confirmed with the resident landlord rep that this was a scam, there were no rental units.
I messaged RentSpot to inform them this was a scam add. I requested they take the add down, or be suspected of complicity. This was yesterday and the add is still running today, Feb 29, 2020.