What to do if you think you’ve been scammed.

First steps if you suspect a rental scam

Rental scams can feel stressful and embarrassing, but acting quickly can help protect your money, your identity, and other renters.

If you have paid money

Contact your bank, card provider, PayPal, or payment service immediately. Explain that you believe the payment was part of a rental scam. The FCA advises contacting your bank as soon as you notice an unauthorised payment, and authorised push payment scam rules may apply to some bank transfer scams. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Ask your provider:

• Can the payment be stopped, reversed, recalled, or disputed?
• Can the receiving account be flagged?
• Do I need to make a fraud claim?
• What evidence do you need from me?
• Will I receive a case reference number?
• What is the expected decision timeframe?

If you shared documents or personal details

If you sent ID documents, bank statements, payslips, a passport, driving licence, or other personal details, there may be a risk of identity misuse. Do not panic, but take it seriously.

Consider doing the following:

• Tell your bank if you shared bank details or statements.
• Change passwords if you shared account details or reused passwords.
• Enable two-factor authentication on email, banking, and important accounts.
• Monitor your bank account and credit file for unusual activity.
• Keep copies of exactly what you shared and when.
• Include the shared documents in your fraud report.

Evidence to save

Save as much evidence as possible before the listing, profile, or messages disappear.

Where to report a rental scam

Report Fraud says rental fraud happens when fraudsters trick would-be tenants into paying an upfront fee for a property that does not exist or is not available to rent. Report Fraud is the official reporting route for England, Wales and Northern Ireland; if you live in Scotland, Report Fraud says to report via 101. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Report the listing to the platform

Report the advert, profile, or message thread to the platform where you found it. This could include a rental site, Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, SpareRoom, OpenRent, WhatsApp, email provider, or social media platform.

Include:

• The listing URL.
• The advertiser profile or account name.
• Payment requests.
• Suspicious messages.
• Evidence that money was requested or sent.
• Any fake documents or false company details.

Reporting the listing may help stop other renters from being targeted.

Emotional support after a scam

Being scammed can feel upsetting, embarrassing, or overwhelming. Scammers are skilled at creating pressure, urgency, and trust. It is not your fault that someone tried to deceive you.

Tell someone you trust what happened, especially if you feel panicked or isolated. Citizens Advice also has advice on getting help with scams and emotional support after being scammed. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}