What is the "Festival Season Accommodation Fraud" scam in Charlottetown?

Question

Accepted Answer

During the Cavendish Beach Music Festival and PEI Jazz and Blues Festival in summer, fraudulent accommodation listings appear on Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace claiming properties near Charlottetown or Cavendish Beach that do not exist or are already booked. Victims transfer deposits via e-Transfer or wire and receive nothing. The practice intensifies because legitimate accommodation in PEI is genuinely scarce during peak festival weeks. Book only through established platforms like Airbnb or VRBO that provide buyer protection. Never send payment via bank transfer or e-Transfer to individuals for accommodation bookings. Verify the listing has consistent reviews spanning multiple years.

Accommodation Scams in Charlottetown

Festival Season Accommodation Fraud

Experienced a scam here?