...
Last but not least, it is also important to mention that the search for accommodation is often also accompanied by fraud. The German consumer advice centre (Verbraucherzentrale) gives on their website useful advices to identify fake apartment advertisements. Because this website is unfortunately only available in German, we will summarize the most important points for you below.
Strategies of fraud:
- Payments in advance: A widespread strategy is that the flat viewing or the receiving of a key requires a payment in advance. Also the request to pay a rent deposit before visiting the apartment is a used tactic of fraudsters.
- Phishing e-mails: In the name of housing companies or real estate portals, fraudsters send also phishing e-mails to get your data. In these e-mails they request you to login via a link that leads to a fake log-in page where they can steal your data. Attached files contain mostly malware.
- Copy of ID or passport: Fraudsters use also the possibility to ask for a copy of an ID or passport via e-mail. This way your identity could be used for illegal transactions.
...
- Too-cheap prices: One indicator that an advertisement is fake is may be fantastically cheap prices. To check the average prices in the neighborhood, take a look at the local rent index published by local authorities.
- Inconsistent or missing information: Serious companies usually provide information about the amount of the rent with and without heating as well as the energy certificate in their advertisements. Also be suspicious if there is no specific contact person or imprint on the website of the real estate company. If there is a telephone number provided, it might be worth it to check this number.
- Pictures from the brochure: Fraudsters try to make their advertisements look very attractive. They may copy pictures from the Internet (for example from furniture store catalogues). With Google image search you can find out on which website this image is also used.
- Suspicious e-mails: Pay attention to the e-mail address of the sender. Fraudsters often use conspicuous domains. Do not open any attached files with the suffix .exe. These files often contain malware.
- Alarm: advance payment: As soon as you are required to do a payment in advance, you should be cautious. Serious estate agents or owners will not ask you for any money before you have inspected the property.
- Transfers to foreign countries: Be cautious with money transfers to foreign countries. Check the bank account number (IBAN) of the recipient of the payment. What country code does it start with? If there is a country code that you did not expect, you should not transfer money.
What can you do if you fell for a swindle?
- If you have already transferred money to a supposed landlord, ask your bank to reverse the payment immediately. However, you have no right to demand that the bank reverse transfers. The situation is different when paying by direct debit: In this case, you can request a refund within eight weeks.
- You can file charges with the police. There is also the possibility to do this online.
- You should also report the fraud to the real estate portal in order to protect other people looking for accommodation from the same fraudsters.
- You can obtain personal assistance from the nearest consumer advice center.
