General Safety
- Always trust your instincts — if something feels wrong, walk away.
- Tell a friend or family member where you are going and who you are meeting.
- Meet in busy, well-lit public places — on-campus lobbies, coffee shops, or library common areas are ideal.
- Keep your phone charged and accessible.
- Do not share your home address or personal ID until you are comfortable and the deal is confirmed.
- If you receive threatening or suspicious messages, block the user and report them immediately.
Housing Safety
- Always view the unit in person before signing any lease or paying any money.
- Never pay a deposit or first month's rent without having a signed lease in hand.
- Verify the landlord's identity — ask for a piece of ID and confirm they are the registered owner.
- In Québec, landlords cannot legally ask for a key deposit or security deposit. This is a red flag.
- Be cautious of listings with prices far below market rate — they may be scams.
- Have a trusted friend or HOJO staff member review your lease before you sign.
- Document the condition of the unit with photos before moving in.
- If you are being pressured to decide quickly, slow down — legitimate landlords will allow you time to review.
Job Safety
- Never pay money to apply for a job or for 'training materials'. Legitimate employers do not charge fees.
- Be cautious of job offers that arrive unsolicited or seem too good to be true.
- Get all terms of employment in writing before starting work.
- Verify the business exists — search the company name, check for a real website, and confirm their address.
- Never hand over banking information until you have verified the employer is legitimate.
- Québec minimum wage applies to all workers regardless of immigration status.
- If an employer asks you to work 'off the books', you lose access to important labour protections.
- Contact HOJO or the Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) if you experience workplace issues.
Buy & Sell Safety
- Always meet in a public, populated place — on campus or in a busy area.
- Inspect the item carefully before handing over any money.
- If buying electronics, test them on the spot before paying.
- Prefer cash or Interac e-Transfer with auto-deposit disabled so you can confirm receipt before releasing funds.
- Never accept cheques from strangers — cheque scams are common.
- For high-value items, bring a friend with you to the meeting.
- Be wary of buyers or sellers who insist on unusual payment methods (cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfer).
- If a seller won't meet in person or wants to ship before receiving payment, treat this as a major red flag.
Online Safety
- Use a strong, unique password for your HOJO account and enable a password manager.
- HOJO will never ask for your password by email or message. Do not share it with anyone.
- Be cautious of messages asking you to click links or provide payment outside the platform.
- Do not share photos of personal documents (passport, SIN card, student ID) over chat.
- Scammers sometimes create fake listings. Report suspicious content using the listing report button.
- Keep your contact information limited to what is necessary in listing descriptions.
Common Scams to Watch For
- Rental scam: Landlord claims to be abroad and offers to mail keys after a deposit. Never pay without viewing the unit.
- Overpayment scam: Buyer sends a cheque for more than the asking price and asks you to wire back the difference.
- Advance fee scam: Employer or landlord asks for an upfront payment to 'secure' the opportunity.
- Too-good-to-be-true listings: Suspiciously cheap rent or salary, with vague details and pressure to act fast.
- Identity theft: Someone asks for sensitive personal information (SIN, passport) early in the process.
- Fake job offer: An employer contacts you out of nowhere with a high-paying remote job requiring no experience.
Have a question about your rights?
HOJO offers free, confidential advice on housing and employment issues for all Concordia students.