How most rental scams work
The pattern is nearly always the same. A listing appears with attractive photos at a good price. The "landlord" or "host" is friendly but can't meet: they're abroad, working, or travelling. They ask for a deposit or the first month's rent to hold the property, often by bank transfer, and promise to send the keys. Once the money arrives, they disappear, and the photos turn up again under a different name.
A second, quieter version is the misleading listing: the property exists, but it's smaller, noisier, further from the sea or in worse condition than the photos suggest. You don't lose everything, but you lose your holiday or a deposit.
Nine warning signs
- The price is far below similar places. Compare three or four similar listings nearby. A big gap needs a reason.
- Pressure to pay quickly. "Other people are interested, I need the deposit today."
- Bank transfer only. Card payments and platform payments give you a way to recover money. Transfers usually don't.
- Moving you off the platform. Requests to continue on WhatsApp or email and pay outside Airbnb, Booking.com or Vrbo.
- No viewing, no video call. A genuine host can usually do a five-minute video call from the property.
- Photos found elsewhere. Run the main photos through a reverse image search. Scammers reuse them.
- Vague address. A host who won't confirm the street or building before you pay.
- No registration number. Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, France and Dubai all require holiday rentals to show a licence or registration number.
- Story inconsistencies. The owner's name changes between messages, or details don't match the listing.
Renting a property without viewing it
Renting without viewing is exactly the situation scammers look for, because you can't see that the flat doesn't exist or isn't theirs to rent. If you're renting a property without viewing it in person, put the safeguards below in place before any money moves.
How to rent safely when you can't view it
- Pay through the booking platform, or by credit card, which gives you Section 75 protection on purchases between £100 and £30,000.
- Ask for the registration number and check it matches the address.
- In Spain, request a Nota Simple to see who owns the property.
- Get a written contract before paying anything substantial.
- Have someone independent view it for you. A local viewing agent can confirm it exists, film it and meet the person renting it.
If you've already paid and think it's a scam, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or Police Scotland.