{"id":286906,"date":"2023-06-16T14:00:20","date_gmt":"2023-06-16T14:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/?p=286906"},"modified":"2024-01-05T16:23:04","modified_gmt":"2024-01-05T16:23:04","slug":"5-ways-to-avoid-real-estate-fraud","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/learning-centre\/real-estate-101\/buy\/avoid-real-estate-fraud\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways To Avoid Real Estate Fraud"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||3px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; width=&#8221;95%&#8221; max_width=&#8221;100%&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||-24px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;55px||||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][wahi_breadcrumb _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=&#8221;Real Estate 101&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _dynamic_attributes=&#8221;link_option_url&#8221; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; link_option_url=&#8221;@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjcyMiJ9fQ==@&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][\/wahi_breadcrumb-link][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=&#8221;Buy&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _dynamic_attributes=&#8221;link_option_url&#8221; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; link_option_url=&#8221;@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjE2MzIifX0=@&#8221; 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_dynamic_attributes=&#8221;content&#8221; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;3.5rem&#8221; header_line_height=&#8221;4.5rem&#8221; header_font_size_tablet=&#8221;42px&#8221; header_font_size_phone=&#8221;2rem&#8221; header_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_line_height_tablet=&#8221;4.5rem&#8221; header_line_height_phone=&#8221;2.75rem&#8221; header_line_height_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IjxoMT4iLCJhZnRlciI6IjwvaDE+In19@[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;1px||1px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][wahi_socialsharing _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][\/wahi_socialsharing][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;15px||0px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;21px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.6em&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;||||||||&#8221; header_2_font_size=&#8221;36px&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.3em&#8221; header_3_font_size=&#8221;1.25rem&#8221; header_3_line_height=&#8221;1.88rem&#8221; header_4_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_4_font_size=&#8221;1.25rem&#8221; header_4_line_height=&#8221;1.88rem&#8221; text_font_size_tablet=&#8221;21px&#8221; text_font_size_phone=&#8221;16px&#8221; text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; header_2_font_size_tablet=&#8221;36px&#8221; header_2_font_size_phone=&#8221;25px&#8221; header_2_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<p>With cases of real estate fraud on the rise in <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/real-estate\/on\"   title=\"Ontario\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">Ontario<\/a>, homebuyers and sellers need to be as vigilant as possible.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;21px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.6em&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;||||||||&#8221; header_2_font_size=&#8221;36px&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.3em&#8221; header_3_font_size=&#8221;1.25rem&#8221; header_3_line_height=&#8221;1.88rem&#8221; header_4_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_4_font_size=&#8221;1.25rem&#8221; header_4_line_height=&#8221;1.88rem&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||11px|||&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; text_font_size_tablet=&#8221;21px&#8221; text_font_size_phone=&#8221;16px&#8221; text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_2_font_size_tablet=&#8221;36px&#8221; header_2_font_size_phone=&#8221;25px&#8221; header_2_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<p>By <a href=\"https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/author\/brennan-doherty\/\">Brennan Doherty<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span>| 5 minute read<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_title title=&#8221;off&#8221; author=&#8221;off&#8221; date_format=&#8221;M j&#8221; categories=&#8221;off&#8221; comments=&#8221;off&#8221; featured_image=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||17px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][\/et_pb_post_title][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||3px|||&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; width_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; width_phone=&#8221;100%&#8221; width_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||9px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off|desktop&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9mZWF0dXJlZF9pbWFnZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7fX0=@&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; force_fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _dynamic_attributes=&#8221;src&#8221; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;1px||29px|||&#8221; border_radii=&#8221;on|32px|32px|32px|32px&#8221; border_radii_tablet=&#8221;on|32px|32px|32px|32px&#8221; border_radii_phone=&#8221;on|0px|0px|0px|0px&#8221; border_radii_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;1.13rem&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.75rem&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-18px||2px|||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||7px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;||7px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;|15px||15px|false|true&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; text_font_size_tablet=&#8221;1.13rem&#8221; text_font_size_phone=&#8221;0.9rem&#8221; text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Real estate fraud is becoming increasingly common in Canada, but there are steps homebuyers and sellers can take to protect themselves.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;1px||39px|||&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;16px||16px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;21px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.6em&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;||||||||&#8221; header_2_font_size=&#8221;36px&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.3em&#8221; header_3_font_size=&#8221;1.25rem&#8221; header_3_line_height=&#8221;1.88rem&#8221; header_4_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_4_font_size=&#8221;1.25rem&#8221; header_4_line_height=&#8221;1.88rem&#8221; text_font_size_tablet=&#8221;21px&#8221; text_font_size_phone=&#8221;16px&#8221; text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_2_font_size_tablet=&#8221;36px&#8221; header_2_font_size_phone=&#8221;25px&#8221; header_2_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most valuable asset held by most Greater <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/real-estate\/on\/gta\/toronto\"   title=\"Toronto\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">Toronto<\/a> Area homeowners is whatever property they\u2019re living in right now, whether it is a compact downtown condo, Bridle Path mansion, or budget-friendly North York townhouse.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, real estate scammers know this too. Over the past few years, regulators have logged <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/globalnews.ca\/news\/9437913\/homeowner-impersonators-lined-32-fraud-cases-ontario-bc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dozens of cases of mortgage and title fraud<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> across Ontario and B.C. In six cases, suspects allegedly pretended to be the homeowners of the very properties they were stealing, in order to facilitate fraudulent sales.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These types of scams were once rare in Canada, but are becoming increasingly common. \u201cWith financial stakes being typically high, real estate in Ontario can, unfortunately, be prone to many kinds of illegal activities,\u201d writes Joseph Richer, registrar of the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO), in a public post on RECO\u2019s website last March.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#edf7f3&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;32px||32px||true|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||25px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_2_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#38505b&#8221; header_2_font_size=&#8221;2.63rem&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;3.75rem&#8221; max_width=&#8221;800px&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; header_2_font_size_tablet=&#8221;32px&#8221; header_2_font_size_phone=&#8221;27px&#8221; header_2_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_2_line_height_tablet=&#8221;3.75rem&#8221; header_2_line_height_phone=&#8221;32px&#8221; header_2_line_height_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<h2 class=\"p1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>&#8220;Mortgage fraud, or the act of lying to a financial institution to secure a mortgage, is becoming increasingly prevalent in Ontario.&#8221;<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;32px||47px|||&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;11px||14px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;21px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.6em&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;||||||||&#8221; header_2_font_size=&#8221;36px&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.3em&#8221; header_3_font_size=&#8221;1.25rem&#8221; header_3_line_height=&#8221;1.88rem&#8221; header_4_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_4_font_size=&#8221;1.25rem&#8221; header_4_line_height=&#8221;1.88rem&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px|||&#8221; text_font_size_tablet=&#8221;21px&#8221; text_font_size_phone=&#8221;16px&#8221; text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_2_font_size_tablet=&#8221;36px&#8221; header_2_font_size_phone=&#8221;25px&#8221; header_2_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But Richer points out that the most common type of fraud is by buyers, not sellers. Mortgage fraud, or the act of lying to a financial institution to secure a mortgage, is becoming increasingly prevalent in Ontario \u201cdue to the higher interest rates and stress tests,\u201d Richer adds, \u201cwhich have made it increasingly challenging to get approved for mortgages.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being caught in a fraudulent real estate sale can be devastating for homebuyers, defrauded homeowners, and the REALTORS\u00ae involved in the transaction. Even if a homeowner has title insurance and receives compensation for a fraudulent transaction, courts can take years to sort out the consequences of title fraud. And the act of lying on a mortgage application, or falling victim to a mortgage scam can carry significant consequences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fortunately, there are a few straightforward steps homebuyers and real estate agents can do to ensure every sale is on the straight and narrow:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>1. Safeguard every document you sign\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The documents you need to sell or buy a home often contain very sensitive financial information that is a treasure trove for real estate fraudsters. Anything from your Social Insurance Number to your taxable income can be found in the myriad of documents needed to close a sale.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Never show these financial documents to anyone who doesn\u2019t need to see them. If a real estate fraudster gets a hold of an incomplete mortgage application, or even simply a blank application with your signature on it, they can easily apply for a mortgage in your name.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, as Richer suggests, keep a copy of any documents that require your signature. That way you can prove if any documents in your name have been altered by a REALTOR\u00ae, prospective buyer, or any other third party.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>2. Understand everything you sign\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fraudsters often count on a homeowner\u2019s lack of understanding of a real estate transaction to get them to sign documents. It may be tempting to skim through pages of legalese and sign at the bottom, but don\u2019t do it. If there\u2019s anything amiss, you may be on the hook.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the documents don\u2019t look right, or you\u2019re at all concerned about the identity of a prospective buyer or seller, give a professional a call. For finance law situations, a real estate lawyer is probably the best bet, but a good REALTOR\u00ae or mortgage broker can also confirm whether your gut feeling is a real problem or not. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>3. Know your buyer or seller \u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the finance world, the concept of KYC \u2014 know your customer \u2014 is the bedrock of all lending principles. It isn\u2019t enough to take someone trying to open a bank account at their word. Lenders must also check them out to make sure they aren\u2019t trying to launder money, use their account to engage in criminal activity, commit tax fraud, or do anything else untoward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The same applies to anyone buying or selling a home. Ask for identification, especially if the buyer or seller is unable (or unwilling) to meet with you. Once you get the name of the customer, run their name through social media or Google.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>Whenever possible, try and ensure the ID documents you\u2019re presented with are valid. That may not always be possible, but there are a few things you can do. In Ontario, homebuyers or sellers can check the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dlc.rus.mto.gov.on.ca\/dlc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">status of a person\u2019s driver\u2019s license<\/a> to see whether it is valid. They can also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ontario.ca\/page\/search-land-property-records\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">search land property records<\/a> to ensure that the owner of a property is, in fact, on the official deed. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#f0faf4&#8243; min_height=&#8221;334.8px&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;3px||0px|||&#8221; global_module=&#8221;849&#8243; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|auto|3px|auto||&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;60px||43px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;||65px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_2_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#38505b&#8221; header_2_font_size=&#8221;2.63rem&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;3.2rem&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||25px|||&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;||||false|true&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; header_2_font_size_tablet=&#8221;2.63rem&#8221; header_2_font_size_phone=&#8221;2rem&#8221; header_2_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_2_line_height_tablet=&#8221;3.75rem&#8221; header_2_line_height_phone=&#8221;2.5rem&#8221; header_2_line_height_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<h2 class=\"BaseTitle_root__3EEux BaseTitle_alignment-center__GotPP BaseTitle_type-h2__10WT0 color-undefined\"><span style=\"color: #2f2f2f;\">We put the <em>real<\/em> back in real estate.<\/span><\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=&#8221;off&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Divider&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px|||&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#e8db3a&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; max_width_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; max_width_phone=&#8221;90%&#8221; max_width_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; min_height=&#8221;35.8px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-24px||32px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;|26px||26px|false|true&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_font_size_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_font_size_phone=&#8221;0.85rem&#8221; text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; module_alignment_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; module_alignment_phone=&#8221;center&#8221; module_alignment_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<p><span style=\"color: #2f2f2f;\">Join Wahi today and find out how easy it is to get real estate in Ontario.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=&#8221;off&#8221; disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Divider&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; height=&#8221;5px&#8221; height_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; height_phone=&#8221;1px&#8221; height_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px|||&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]        [\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;\/ca\/en\/real-estate\/sign-up&#8221; button_text=&#8221;Get Started&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;17px&#8221; button_letter_spacing=&#8221;1px&#8221; button_text_size_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; button_text_size_phone=&#8221;13px&#8221; button_text_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;29px||0px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||4px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;21px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.6em&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;||||||||&#8221; header_2_font_size=&#8221;36px&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.3em&#8221; header_3_font_size=&#8221;1.25rem&#8221; header_3_line_height=&#8221;1.88rem&#8221; header_4_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_4_font_size=&#8221;1.25rem&#8221; header_4_line_height=&#8221;1.88rem&#8221; text_font_size_tablet=&#8221;21px&#8221; text_font_size_phone=&#8221;16px&#8221; text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_2_font_size_tablet=&#8221;36px&#8221; header_2_font_size_phone=&#8221;25px&#8221; header_2_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><b>4. Never partner up to apply for mortgages or sell homes \u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Richer says some types of transactions are so often used by fraudsters that they are instant red flags, no matter how genuine the person appears to be. One of them is asking to apply for a mortgage on someone else\u2019s behalf in exchange for cash compensation. Another is a deal to share profits from reselling a home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both of these situations can be innocuous, but when done by someone you aren\u2019t related to or don\u2019t know well, they can end very badly. \u201cChoosing to pursue such options will likely result in you being left with significant debts to repay and perhaps even criminal charges or lawsuits after the fraudster has run away with the mortgage funds,\u201d Richer explains. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>5. If you think you\u2019re being scammed, seek help immediately \u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Successfully prosecuting real estate fraud can be a long, tricky process, but it isn\u2019t impossible. RECO, the regulator, says anyone who suspects they\u2019ve been defrauded should give them a call at 1-800-245-6910. They also suggest fraud victims reach out to both the Toronto Police Service\u2019s non-emergency line at 416-808-2222 and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre\u2019s website, fraud victims should keep any relevant documents, receipts, or copies of emails and text messages. They should also change all passwords if they\u2019re a victim of identity fraud, and report the fraud to both Equifax and TransUnion, Canada\u2019s two credit bureaus. The financial institution involved should also be kept in the loop.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Talking about fraud can be uncomfortable, but the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre\u2019s website says fraud victims should tell their family, friends, neighbours, and co-workers about their experiences. As its website says, \u201cYou may prevent someone else from becoming a victim.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;33px||33px||true|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_blurb title=&#8221;Brennan Doherty&#8221; image=&#8221;https:\/\/wahi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Screen-Shot-2022-11-02-at-7.46.57-PM.png&#8221; icon_placement=&#8221;left&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;24px&#8221; header_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; body_text_color=&#8221;#686E6E&#8221; body_line_height=&#8221;0em&#8221; width=&#8221;550px&#8221; max_width_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; max_width_phone=&#8221;&#8221; max_width_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;left&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;2px||13px|||&#8221; link_option_url=&#8221;https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/author\/brennan-doherty\/&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; header_font_size_tablet=&#8221;24px&#8221; header_font_size_phone=&#8221;20px&#8221; header_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_line_height_tablet=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; header_line_height_phone=&#8221;1.4em&#8221; header_line_height_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; custom_css_blurb_image=&#8221;width:64px;&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<p>Wahi Writer<\/p>[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;1px||0px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][wahi_socialsharing module_class=&#8221;wahi_socialsharing_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][\/wahi_socialsharing][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;5px||3px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||19px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_divider show_divider=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; height=&#8221;30px&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;21px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.6em&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;||||||||&#8221; header_2_font_size=&#8221;36px&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.3em&#8221; header_3_font_size=&#8221;1.25rem&#8221; header_3_line_height=&#8221;1.88rem&#8221; header_4_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_4_font_size=&#8221;1.25rem&#8221; header_4_line_height=&#8221;1.88rem&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||23px|||&#8221; text_font_size_tablet=&#8221;21px&#8221; text_font_size_phone=&#8221;16px&#8221; text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_2_font_size_tablet=&#8221;36px&#8221; header_2_font_size_phone=&#8221;33px&#8221; header_2_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<h2>You might also like<\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blog_extras posts_number=&#8221;3&#8243; include_categories=&#8221;23,21,22&#8243; blog_layout=&#8221;masonry&#8221; meta_date=&#8221;M j&#8221; excerpt_length=&#8221;0&#8243; show_more=&#8221;off&#8221; show_author=&#8221;off&#8221; category_color=&#8221;#686E6E&#8221; show_comments=&#8221;off&#8221; module_class=&#8221;zoom-blog&#8221; masonry_columns_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; masonry_columns_phone=&#8221;1&#8243; masonry_columns_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; filterable_category_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; active_filterable_category_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; header_font=&#8221;Lato||||||||&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;1.25rem&#8221; header_line_height=&#8221;1.88rem&#8221; meta_text_color=&#8221;#686E6E&#8221; meta_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; custom_css_title=&#8221;font-weight:900!important;&#8221; custom_css_post_meta=&#8221;margin-top:-32px!important;&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_css_title__hover_enabled=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; custom_css_title__hover=&#8221;font-weight:900!important; text-decoration:underline;&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][\/et_pb_blog_extras][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#f0faf4&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;2px||10px||false|false&#8221; border_color_bottom=&#8221;#686E6E&#8221; global_module=&#8221;277894&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; width=&#8221;85%&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;|auto|3px|auto||&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;60px||43px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;60px||0px||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_2_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#38505b&#8221; header_2_font_size=&#8221;2.63rem&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;3.2rem&#8221; width_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; width_phone=&#8221;&#8221; width_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||25px|||&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; header_2_font_size_tablet=&#8221;2.63rem&#8221; header_2_font_size_phone=&#8221;1.8rem&#8221; header_2_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_2_line_height_tablet=&#8221;3.75rem&#8221; header_2_line_height_phone=&#8221;2.5rem&#8221; header_2_line_height_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; width__hover_enabled=&#8221;off|desktop&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #2f2f2f;\">Get the Competitive Edge You Need<\/span><\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<script src=\"https:\/\/cdn.onesignal.com\/sdks\/OneSignalSDK.js\" async=\"\"><\/script><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><script><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->      var ONESIGNAL_PLAYER_API_URL = \"https:\/\/onesignal.com\/api\/v1\/players\";<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->      var ONESIGNAL_APP_ID = \"b4a9688b-9552-4157-bffd-5a5539abeb50\"; \/\/ Replace you own app-id here<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->      \/\/ See documetation on creating a new player:<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->      \/\/ https:\/\/documentation.onesignal.com\/reference\/add-a-device<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->      \/\/ Get the External User ID from the form input<!-- 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#2f2f2f;\">By clicking \u201csubscribe\u201d, you agree to receive newsletters from Wahi.<\/span><br \/><span style=\"color: #2f2f2f;\">\u00a0You always have the option to unsubscribe at any time.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With cases of real estate fraud on the rise in Ontario, homebuyers and sellers need to be as vigilant as 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