Employees in Big White Ski Resort have lost thousands of dollars to fake rental listings as scammers take advantage of the tight and competitive housing market.
Michael J. Ballingall, senior vice president of Big White, says scammers are targeting seasonal workers by posting fake ads online posing as landlords offering housing on Mt.
“People need to realize that everything you see on the Internet you may not want to believe,” he said.
In the last two weeks alone, between 12 and 15 employees have been tricked into paying deposits on fake properties, resulting in losses of more than $15,000.
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“They pretend it's their apartment, their apartment, and that it's a yearly rental. You just need to put down a deposit and it's yours,” Ballingall explained. “Unfortunately, (employees) find out the hard way that it’s completely fake.”
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning renters to watch for warning signs when searching for housing online.
“You need to do your research before you give money up front,” said Simone Lees of the BBB. “If they ask you to do something outside of normal practice, like post a damage deposit and pay the first month's rent right away, that's a red flag.”
She also warns about rush tactics and unusual payment methods. “If you contact them and you have to make a deposit now or pay something like a bank transfer that is not reversible, be careful.”
Big White does offer staff accommodation, but demand far outstrips supply.
“We've spent over $25 million building apartments. We now have 676 apartments to house our employees on the mountain,” Ballingall said. “But the mountain grew; the resort now has over 1,800 employees eager to play and train.”
The resort encourages anyone unsure of the rental listing to contact them directly.
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