- Scams
- Online Scams
Fake Housing Ads
Fake Housing Ads
Last updated
Finding a home is hard, and scammers take advantage of that. They post ads for flats that don't exist or that they don't own, often with low rent or a great location. Then they ask you to pay a deposit or the first month's rent in advance to "secure" the home. Students looking for somewhere to live before term starts are a common target.
Warning signs
The rent is unusually low for the location and size.
The landlord is abroad and can't show you the flat.
You have to pay before you've seen the home or signed a contract.
It's urgent, because "lots of other people are interested".
How do you avoid this?
- Never pay anything before you've seen the home and signed a contract.
- Check that the landlord really owns the home, for example by asking the housing association or the property owner.
- Do a reverse image search on the ad's photos. They are often stolen from other ads.
Has this happened to you?
- Contact your bank right away. Sometimes a payment can be stopped.
- Report the ad to the site where it was posted.
- Report it to the police at polisen.se or call 114 14.
- housing scam
- fake ad
- rent
- flat
- deposit
- sublet
