Because Kijiji is completely anonymous, it is the primary target for modern rental scammers. The most dangerous trick today is the “Airbnb Hijack”—scammers literally rent a local apartment for a weekend, pose as the landlord, and physically walk you through the unit. You think it’s legitimate because you are standing inside it, but the moment you hand over a deposit, they vanish, and the real owners have no idea who you are.
If you are looking at a listing and your gut is telling you something is off, look for specific warning signs and follow a systematic verification process.
1. The Red Flag Checklist
If your Kijiji listing matches even one of these points, stop communicating immediately.
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The “Out of the Country” Story: The landlord claims they are currently in the US, Europe, or another province for a “family emergency” or “work project,” so they cannot show you the place in person. They promise to mail you the keys once you wire a deposit.
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Extreme Urgency: They pressure you with statements like: “I have 5 other people willing to take it today, send a $500 deposit via e-transfer right now to hold it.”
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The Price is Too Good to be True: A gorgeous, fully furnished 1-bedroom condo in a major city center listed for 40% less than the neighborhood average is a trap 100% of the time.
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Demanding ID Details Before a Showing: They insist on a photo of your passport, driver’s license, or Social Security Number (SIN) just to schedule a viewing. This is identity theft.
2. How to Verify the Landlord is Real
If you want to be absolutely certain the person you are talking to actually has the legal right to rent the property, treat it like an investigation.
Step 1: The Digital Pre-Screen
Before traveling to the property, do a quick reverse-image search on the Kijiji photos (you can upload them to Google Images). Scammers regularly steal photos straight from active real estate listings on Realtor.ca or old Airbnb postings. If the exact same apartment shows up as “For Sale” under a different name, it’s a scam.
Step 2: Request ID at the Viewing
When you meet for the showing, politely but firmly say:
“Because of the high number of rental scams on Kijiji, my bank requires me to verify property ownership before I can authorize a lease deposit. May I please see your photo ID, and a copy of a recent utility bill or property tax statement matching this address?”
A legitimate landlord will completely understand this request (especially if you are a newcomer). A scammer will get defensive, angry, or make up an excuse.
Step 3: Run an Ownership Search (The Ultimate Proof)
Every province in Canada has an official online registry where you can lookup who legally owns a piece of land by its address. It costs a tiny fee, but it provides absolute peace of mind:
| Province | Tool to Use | What it Gives You | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | OnLand.ca (Property Search) | A Snapshot of the official Land Registry showing the current owner’s legal name. | ~$35 CAD |
| British Columbia | LTSA.ca (Land Title Search) | Official Land Title document revealing the registered owner. | ~$10-15 CAD |
| Alberta | SPIN 2 (Spatial Information System) | Land title search by street address. | ~$10 CAD |
If the name on the OnLand/LTSA title registry does not match the photo ID of the person standing in front of you showing you the apartment, walk away.
3. The Golden Rule of Deposits
Never pay before a lease is signed: Legitimate landlords draw up a provincial Standard Lease Agreement first. You both sign it, and then you provide the first and last month’s rent deposit. Anyone demanding cash, a wire transfer, crypto, or an e-transfer before a contract is signed is trying to rob you.
If you want an extra layer of protection, look up the landlord’s name and the apartment address on Openroom.ca—it is a free, crowdsourced Canadian database where public rental tribunal and court orders are uploaded. It will immediately show you if the landlord has a history of legal battles or tenant disputes!