Rentals• 4 min read
Rental Scams: How to Spot a Fake Listing Before You Pay Deposit
Rental scams spike in every academic semester. The pattern is identical worldwide.
Photos stolen from other listings
Reverse image search every photo. Hits on Airbnb or other Property24 listings = scam.
Owner 'overseas'
Sob story, posts you keys after payment. Keys never arrive.
Pay deposit to view
Never. Viewings are free.
Pressure: 'others want it'
Standard urgency tactic. Walk away.
The bottom line
Send the listing URL and the landlord's contact to ScamGuard on WhatsApp before paying anything.