WANNABE COTTAGERS ARE WARNED ABOUT GOLDEN POND SCAMMERS

BRACEBRIDGE — Memo to wannabe cottagers:

Please see related story about John Cleese on MuskokaTODAY.com.

And be advised: If the on golden pond price seems too good to be true … it probably is.

Local coppers have received several complaints from people who have been victimized by online cottage rental scams.

They say scammers are utilizing common marketplace sites such as Kijiji to advertise cottages for rent in Muskoka and display attractive photos and provide legitimate addresses.

The scammer further provides a rental agreement and money is exchanged. Unfortunately when the renter arrives to check-in at the cottage they believe they have rented, it is not a rental at all.

This leaves the renter displaced and being forced to turn around and return home and is aggravating to the homeowner as they are unsettled by the random arrival of strangers on their doorstep.

Potential renters are encouraged to be diligent about the properties that they are exploring online and take extra steps to ensure that the rental is legitimate.

Police say, generally speaking, if the price seems too good to be true…it probably is.

Camilla Cleese and her dad John are said to be in production of a movie in Huntsville this summer. He said he was duped by Airbnb after signing up for a cottage. They said it was all a big mistake and that the owner never agreed to rent to the Fawlty Towers star.