Discussions

I would go to the BPS first off with all the contact information you have for him - any email and physical addresses, phone numbers, etc. and see if there is anything they can do.

It's a scam. About 6 months ago I messaged this same man and got the same story. Messaged back and forth a few times. I looked up the address of the house he told me and that address didn't match any brandon addresses. I made sure to ask him many questions. All pointed to it being a scam. Thankfully I did not send him any money and I don't see you being able to do much to get your money back. Though I wish you luck.

I had messages exchanged with the same guy I'll pm you tomorrow maybe I can help I didn't send him money but when I told him he was a scammer he got quite rude and I said I'd contact the police he almost got half threatening half begging not to (this is not a scam please leave police out of this or else)

http://police.brandon.ca/all-reports/3362-29-july-2015-rental-property-scams  
 

Heres the thing, I got an email from ebrandon moderator that the rental is not a scam.  
 
Another one would be, how he managed to find out what my password was. I never gave it to him as it was a phone number of a different person. That number, you can never find on any of our emails.  
 
What the bank/ interac said was the person was able to transfer it in one try.

tux525 said "Heres the thing, I got an email from ebrandon moderator that the rental is not a scam.     Another one would be, how he managed to find out what my password was. I never gave it to him as it was a phone number of a different person. That number, you can never find on any of our emails.     What the bank/ interac said was the person was able to transfer it in one try. "

im not up there on all the scammers technology but there must be a way for them to tacks your key types or see the password  
 
as for an ebrandon moderator saying the guy wasnt a scam seems very off and something adam would probably want to know about, thinking a moderator would never tell you its for sure not a scam, one might say something vague like i they cant verify it is or something but to vouch for some random add seems way way off so you are either mistaken or the guy has figured out a way to hack your other messages too, id report to adam with your emails so he can decide what happened with that

This happened to me from the same guy about 2 years ago, there was no way to get any money back since it was a postal money order, I learned my lesson well.  
I saw this ad posted on ebrandon just recently this year and sent in a request immediately to ebrandon saying this was a scam ad and to get rid of it but obviously they didn't get to it fast enough or let it stay up long enough for you to see it.  
I'm sorry you had to go through this, but I tried and did my part hoping it would be shut down before anybody else could get scammed.

Not sure, but this might help. I know of someone whose bank account got hacked. They went to the bank, and the issue was looked into. The culprit was found and he eventually received his money back. I realize this is a bit different but perhaps the banks security department could help in locating this individual and charges could be pressed. Especially with all the email correspondence as back up proof.

Either the etransfer service wasn't secure or you have a key logger in your computer, those would be the 2 things I would guess, seeing that they managed to get your password on the first try. Seems like something is seriously wrong though, seeing they would not know who would be applying for the add. I would be questioning the bank transfer a little more. Would think it would fall under the internet bank fraud insurance and they would pay you back seeing you didn't give them the password.  
 
Edited by JohnStamen, 2015-11-02 00:07:19

I'm very sorry to read this, what you've described follows the pattern of the typical scam and I would stop all contact. I would also recommend opening up a Police report as soon as possible. They will collect necessary information and will be able to advise further on what options there might or might not be.  
 
When it comes to identifying suspect ads, eBrandon is a community effort. When a scam ad is reported its very important to me to ensure that it is not active on the site. While a similar ad has been submitted recently I was unable to locate a posting with the word for word title you've given.  
 
Can you please click on the "Contact & Support" link at the bottom of the page and send:  
- as part of sending inquiries on ads, the eBrandon system includes a confirmation email to the sender with the title of and a link to the ad that they're replying to. Please forward this to me as it will have everything I need to verify which posting it was and make sure it is not active on the site  
- as many details as possible on any separate messages you received as part of correspondence  
 
Regarding message from moderator, I am the only one who would speak on behalf of eBrandon classifieds. You will never receive an email from me out of the blue just to state that an ad is valid. In some situations an eBrandon user will first email me asking for an opinion on an ad they are replying to and that is the only time you would receive such a message from myself speaking to the authenticity of a specific ad. In that case the main advice I would give is to never send any kind of payment without first seeing in person. I've received no other reports that would hint at impersonation but would like to investigate further and I would appreciate more details.  
 
Whenever you have a classified service with this large of a userbase it's expected that there will be some attempts to post illegitimate ads. While there is a system in place to make life difficult on scammers and severely limit these ads, the odd posting will inevitably be on the site for a period of time as part of the regular cat and mouse game with those that submit them. The main tool against scams is education to make sure that people know the typical common signs. In the interest of further education I trust it's okay to use this as an opportunity to remind anyone reading to never send any form of payment without viewing in person. A typical scam will see an excuse used why the person on the other end is not available in town to meet in person, but one should always view a rental in person before making any kind of commitment or sending payment. For more on safe practices when using the system please visit http://www.ebrandon.ca/classifieds_safety.aspx  
 
As well if you ever notice an ad that should be reviewed your reports sent via the "report this ad" link on an ad are very much appreciated as an important part of making life difficult on scammers. If you ever have similar dealings to what is described here please let me know through the Contact & Support link as every report is an opportunity not only to promptly remove a suspect posting but also to further refine the system. Thanks for your continued assistance in making the classifieds the best place they can be.

Sorry this happened. I use e-transfer for everything, never have I ever had to put a password in. All they have to do is type in their email password and then go to the bank they deal with, and put in the passcode to their online banking. I'm not sure if you can get your money back, I sure hope there's something that can be done, but unfortunately, the bank can't do anything for you. Once the money is sent, and its been accepted, they can't do much, without the police involved. They would need something from the police to open a file, in order to trace who and where the receiving account is set up. The bank can trace it, but won't without something legit from the cops. That should be your first step. I have dealt with this same issue, and trust me, go to the cops. Good Luck!

i wonder how the bank deals with this sort of thing exactly? i have had several renter deposit money into the wrong account, when we noticed, sometime a few weeks later the bank withdraws the money from the wrong account and fixes the mistake, i always felt bad for the person who received the money in error as if they werent paying attention they got no warning the cash was withdrawn and could easily throw off their banking, the bank always said it wasnt supposed to be theirs so they were allowed to do the transfer, i wonder with a police report if they would not be able to transfer the cash back or if because it was an accrual transfer sent by the op if its not the same, either way they defiantly have the account info the cash went into, whether they can release that IDK

Sorry to hear this  
I tell renters to view the place in person before any money is sent  
And u do not need to give first and last months rent - just first month with damage deposit ( half the rent )  

Email money a transfer always have a question and a password. You can't "deposit" it till you answer the question thus completing the transaction. It never instantly deposits, you can even cancel the transfer at anytime for any reason before they answer the question. That's how Scotia bank works and sure every other bank as well.  
 
Only way someone would get the password is with a key logger. The bank side is secure!  
 
Not sure why you would send money they way you did. It's a common sense scam, hopefully they find them but chances are it never will happen! You can spoof phone numbers and everything else these days. I doubt they even live in Canada..  
 
FYI Thompson to Brandon is almost 9 hour trip. Which should have been your first red flag.  
 
 
 
Edited by westcoasterbc, 2015-11-02 16:51:40

Newfie101 said "Sorry this happened. I use e-transfer for everything, never have I ever had to put a password in. All they have to do is type in their email password and then go to the bank they deal with, and put in the passcode to their online banking. I'm not sure if you can get your money back, I sure hope there's something that can be done, but unfortunately, the bank can't do anything for you. Once the money is sent, and its been accepted, they can't do much, without the police involved. They would need something from the police to open a file, in order to trace who and where the receiving account is set up. The bank can trace it, but won't without something legit from the cops. That should be your first step. I have dealt with this same issue, and trust me, go to the cops. Good Luck! "

I've used it with different banks and have never used one that doesn't require a password....

Don't send money (even if you thought secure) to someone you've never met in person.  
 
It's sad as you thought your password was secure. It's just a heads up to others to be aware.  
 
Thanks for bringing this to the publics attention. All people need to be aware of who they are dealing with, OP  
 
I hope you get your money back, but it might be a stretch.

yes you got scammed, plain and simple, I run a computer repair shop and this is a daily occurrence it's sad this is the world we live in but people need to stop trusting total strangers and some of us have to learn the hard way. Microsoft does not call you, and dont follow links sent in bogus emails and sign in with your username and password on bogus look-a-like websites, you have to be vigilant in this day and age at protecting yourself cause no one else will. In most if not all of the cases I have seen people give away their information and money simply because someone asked them to so I have a hard time when people do this and then say "I was hacked" or "Scammed" well no..... a total stranger asked for something and it was given willingly. When a total strangers asks for something or if something is too good to be true a great big red flag should pop up in your brain that says WHOA!  
the basic plot of all scams play on our ,greed,fear,anxiety/pressure a good indicator it's a scam if you experience any of those feelings or thoughts its probably a scam. if you want to stay safe always be suspect, do your homework and always meet in person if a great deal is missed then chalk it up as things happen for a reason. I'm sorry you got ripped off and the prognosis for recovering your funds is probably not good about the best thing you can do is share your experience and create awareness to save someone else falling victim  
 
 
Edited by ptooti, 2015-11-03 00:35:40

Call this number to report the scam.  
anti-fraud centre 1-888-495-8501  
 
To those who are suggesting this student should have known better, please stop blaming the victim. We are taught to trust people and give them the benefit of the doubt and sometimes that gets us into trouble. I've been scammed by people I have known well. Some people will take advantage of other people's kindness and goodwill. That says something about their behaviour and who they are, not the victim.  
Please be more cautious in the future. It's not your fault. It is the scammer's.

Hopefully none of you will get scammed in the future.  
 
Others that were very helpful, thank you.  
 
I'm over it. Its not that big of a deal anymore.  
 
Just consider this a warning for others.