As Australia faces some of the lowest vacancy rates in decades, we too are dealing with far fewer available properties in The Ponds than we would like. It’s a challenge we can work to overcome together, if you let us know in advance what your ideal next home looks like.

However, in the meantime, we want all The Ponds locals to know that scammers are trying to take advantage of Australia’s limited vacancies by tricking prospective tenants into enquiring about fake listings. By copying photographs of homes from real estate agent’s websites, scammers set up traps for the unwitting.

It's essential to be informed and safeguard yourself from potential fraudsters, so we’ve highlighted the most common types of rental scams we know of on the internet:

1. The ‘Too Good to Be True’ Listing

Warning Signs:

• Prices that are significantly lower than the market rate
• Photos that look like they've been lifted from other listings
• Descriptions that are vague or don’t match the photos

2. The Upfront Fee Scam

Warning Signs:

• Landlords who request a security deposit or first month’s rent before you’ve signed a lease or even seen the property
• Requests for non-traditional payment methods, like wire transfers or gift cards

3. The Fake Landlord

Warning Signs:

• Landlords who claim to be out of the country or unavailable to show the property
• Pressure to make a decision quickly without seeing the place in person

4. Hijacked Ads

Warning Signs:

• Listings that appear on multiple sites with varying prices
• Contact details that change across different advertisements
• You may find the same property listed by a legitimate agency at a higher price

5. The Phantom Rental

Warning Signs:

• Properties that are advertised for rent but aren’t actually available
• Scammers gather information on real properties and use it to create fake listings

6. Identity Theft Ploys

Warning Signs:

• Requests for personal or financial information before you've met in person or viewed the property
• Applications that seem overly invasive without any real rental context

Here are our safeguarding tips:

Always try to meet landlords or agents in person. A face-to-face meeting is one of the best ways to ensure legitimacy.

Do a reverse image search of the property photos. If the images appear on multiple sites under different names, it’s likely a scam.

Never wire funds, especially overseas. Once the money is gone, it's almost impossible to get it back.

Don’t give out personal information until you've verified the person's identity and seen the property.

Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. Always trust your gut feelings.

We know the internet offers you convenience, but it also comes with risks. By being vigilant, asking questions, and doing due diligence, you can protect yourself from falling victim to rental scams. Always trust reputed and established real estate agencies like First National Real Estate Hills Direct to ensure a smooth and safe rental process. Stay savvy and happy house hunting!