People reminded of risks of rental scams

Stoke image of a house for rent

People looking to rent a property are being warned about the dangers of rental scams.

The warning from Trading Standards officers at Staffordshire County Council follows reports from Action Fraud that the average rental scam victim in the UK loses £1,400.

Rental scams typically involve a criminal posing as a landlord or property manager to make potential renters pay money for a property that isn’t available, doesn’t exist, or isn’t theirs to rent out.

Whilst these scams are more common in larger cities and towns, they can be deployed anywhere.   Officers are now asking people to look out for three types of scam:

• Phantom Rentals: Listings for properties that don’t exist or aren’t for rent. Criminals pull you in with attractive photos and great deals.
• Hijacked Ads: Criminals copy legitimate rental ads and change the contact details, directing inquiries to themselves instead of the rightful owner.
• Bait-and-Switch: The property advertised is unavailable, but the criminal offers a different, often inferior, property.

Victoria Wilson is the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Trading Standards at Staffordshire County Council and said:

“For this campaign our officers have teamed up with Consumer Friend to remind people to be vigilant when renting a property.

“It’s easy to be taken in by attractive adverts and properties at low rents but people do need to be careful and take precautions to avoid becoming victims.

“By following some simple tips and keeping an eye out for any red flags you can keep yourself safe.  Never pay rent up front or money to secure the property, be suspicious if you don’t get to meet the agent or landlord and think about doing a search online for the property. Scammers have been known to rent Airbnb properties to offer phony viewings, so it’s worth cross-checking the property against that platform.

“And remember, we always say, if something looks too good to be true, it probably is.”

Officers have offered advice on what to look out for:

• Low rent: If the rent is significantly lower than other properties in the area, be cautious.
• Upfront payments: Be wary of landlords who ask for money upfront before seeing the property, especially if they request payment via a bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards.
• No in-person meetings: Criminals often avoid face-to-face meetings.  If the "landlord" is unable or unwilling to meet you in person or show you the property, this is a warning sign.
• High-pressure tactics: Criminals may pressure you to act quickly, claiming there are other interested people or that the offer is available for a limited time only.
• Incomplete or vague information: Legitimate listings provide detailed information. Be suspicious of ads with limited photos, vague descriptions, or typos and errors. If it’s an agent, they must belong to a redress scheme.

Further advice on avoiding rental scams or to report a scam is available on the Action Fraud website.