How to Avoid Rental Scams When Searching Online

Warning signs worth slowing down for

Scams tend to share a few traits. None of these alone proves anything is wrong, but two or three together are worth being careful about.

• Price is noticeably below similar listings in the same building or area
• "Owner" claims to be overseas and can’t meet or do a live video viewing
• Pressure to decide and pay a deposit immediately, "before someone else takes it"
• Asks for a deposit or booking fee before any viewing at all
• Contact only through chat, never a phone call

Never send money before you’ve verified the unit and the person

View the unit in person if you can. If you can’t, insist on a live video call where you can ask the person to walk around the unit and show details you specify on the spot — pre-recorded video is easy to reuse from a real listing that isn’t theirs.

A deposit or booking fee should only change hands once you’ve seen the unit and reviewed a written agreement — never as a condition of being allowed to view it.

Confirm who you’re actually dealing with

Ask to see ID that matches the name on the title deed, or documentation showing the person is authorized to manage/rent the unit on the owner’s behalf. A legitimate landlord or agent will have this ready without hesitation.

Use traceable payment methods

Bank transfer to an account in the landlord’s or a registered company’s name leaves a paper trail. Avoid cash-only requests or transfers to a personal account with a different name than the person you’ve been dealing with.

How HaBaanMai helps

Every listing page has a report button — if something looks off, flag it and our team reviews it. It won’t catch everything on day one, but the habits above will protect you regardless of which platform you’re browsing on.