If you find a listing that suits you, always verify it on multiple portals, such as an official property management website or government records. More often than not, these fraudsters create phishing websites with fake images and ask for upfront payments. Some malicious agents even rent long-term bed and breakfasts and pose as real estate agents to organize fake property viewings for their potential targets.

It is a huge warning sign if the person who listed the property refuses to meet with you. If, for any reason, you are unable to meet the agent or property owner in person, request a video walkthrough. They should be willing to show you the property and get to know you, as you are the one who will be using it.

This mostly happens when people need to get the place immediately. Scammers impersonating landlords or agents may tell you that this is a good deal and that you should book it immediately by making an advance payment. Don’t take the bait.

If the owner of the property, real estate agent or property manager is insisting that security deposit be paid prior to signing the lease, take that as a sign that something is wrong and do not go ahead with the deal. Fake property owners might tell you that they don’t live in the same country and need you to send the money so they can handover the keys, do not fall for it. 

A common way to steal identities is by requesting personally identifiable information. Ideally, the tenant verification process should not begin until the prospective tenant has seen the house and submitted an application. Therefore, it is important to check whether the listing company has good reviews on Google and other reputable platforms, depending on the country you are searching in.

Oftentimes, you may come across a listing in a neighborhood that seems too good to be true. Scammers use this tactic to lure individuals, and once contacted, they create a sense of urgency to close the deal quickly. Please be aware that it is an attempt to steal your money.

If the listing has grammatical errors, be cautious and try to verify the listing on other trusted portals as well. 

Read the contract terms carefully and make sure they are properly signed. Be cautious of high deposits, vague language, or anything that feels rushed, these are all red flags.

It is important to ensure that things are being done the right way. If the landlord or listing company is professional, they would want to verify the tenant’s credit score and check if they caused any issues in previous rentals. In general, they should conduct a legitimate screening process. If they don’t, it’s best to steer clear.

Asking for payments through cryptocurrency, wire transfers, gift cards, or cash is usually untraceable. Be cautious of such requests, especially if the link redirects you to a different website.

Try to document everything that has happened. Keep a record of all conversations between you and the scammer, any documents exchanged, sensitive details shared, payments made, and screenshots of the listing.

To prevent illegal transactions from your account and report any payments already made to the scammer, contact your bank as soon as possible. They will guide you on the next steps and may freeze your account if necessary.

If you think that the listing is fraudulent, inform the real estate company. It will help them take action against the fraudsters and potentially save other people from getting scammed

Seek help from a lawyer who specializes in consumer protection, particularly in real estate dealings. A good lawyer can guide you through the legal process and may even help you secure compensation.

Being a community-based service, Truecaller relies on user reports to flag spam numbers, filter out messages from scammers, and identify fake companies. This helps protect others from becoming victims of rental and other types of scams.