Anonymous Tips - About the Anonymous Tipline
RECBC is committed to building a safer real estate marketplace— tell us when you are concerned about the conduct of a real estate professional.
To help real estate professionals and members of the public who may have concerns about coming forward to report suspicious activity, RECBC’s Anonymous Tipline allows you to protect your identity. But while you don’t need to leave your name, you do need to include enough information for RECBC to take action – otherwise, we can’t begin an investigation.
RECBC will take appropriate action on information that is provided in good faith and with serious reasons to believe that misconduct was, is being, or will be committed.
How to Submit a Tip
By Phone at 1.833.420.2400
Use RECBC’s dedicated toll-free phone line for anonymous tips. Between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, trained staff will respond to calls with information and advice.
If you think that you may have witnessed contraventions of the Real Estate Services Act or Rules, you can phone us to anonymously discuss the issue and the best way to deal with the situation. We’re here to help.
Online
Use the secure, anonymous online tip form on our website. Our trained staff will assess the tips we receive to determine if an investigation may be required, and if there is sufficient evidence provided in the tip to proceed.
How We Can Help
When you contact our Anonymous Tipline by phone, we can provide:
- Information for people who wish to discuss concerns about possible wrongdoing by licensed real estate professionals (real estate agents, strata property managers, and rental property managers).
- Referral to other resources (law enforcement, other regulatory agencies) where appropriate. *
- Guidance on resolving issues that may not require formal action by RECBC.
- Guidance on providing an anonymous tip using our secure online form OR filing a complaint
RECBC takes steps to ensure that anonymous tips are received and processed in a secure manner. We will not acknowledge in writing receipt of any information provided through the Anonymous Tipline.
*Please note that we cannot guarantee that another organization will be able to assist in every case.
Who We Can Help
The trained staff of RECBC’s Anonymous Tipline can assist members of the public and real estate professionals who wish to report concerns about possible wrongdoing by other real estate licensees (real estate agents, strata property managers, and rental property managers).
Possible wrongdoing by real estate professionals that RECBC can investigate includes:
- mishandling of deposits
- concealing property defects
- misrepresentation (making false statements)
- unauthorized signing of documents
- unwritten guarantees to resell a property used as an inducement to do business
- secret commissions
- professional misconduct including incompetence and conduct unbecoming of a licensee.
RECBC will not take action on information that is determined to be frivolous or vexatious.
The Professional Duty to Report Misconduct
Licensed real estate professionals play a critical role in ensuring that the public interest is protected at all times. Professionals who believe that a consumer is at risk from another professional’s actions have a duty to promptly report the conduct to their managing broker, who can bring it to RECBC’s attention.
Ignoring potential misconduct when you observe it puts the public and the reputation of the real estate profession at risk.