Updated 16 September 2026 · 7 min read
Property fraud relies on urgency and distance. Almost every case involves being asked to pay before you have seen the property, met the person, or verified that they have any right to let or sell it.
The recurring patterns
- A property priced noticeably below the local market, with an explanation for why you must act now.
- The 'landlord' is abroad, unable to meet, and will post keys once you transfer a holding fee.
- Photographs that appear on other listings elsewhere, sometimes with a different address.
- Pressure to move off-platform to messaging apps, then to pay by bank transfer, gift card or cryptocurrency.
- A viewing conducted by someone who cannot answer basic questions about the property or produce any paperwork.
Checks that defeat most attempts
- Never pay anything for a property you have not viewed, in person or by live video with the person in the property.
- Verify the advertiser: for an agent, check the trading name, office address, redress scheme and client money protection. For a private landlord, ask for evidence of ownership or the right to let.
- Reverse image search the photographs.
- Insist on a written tenancy agreement or sales memorandum before any payment beyond a receipted holding deposit.
- Pay by a traceable method, to an account in the name you are dealing with, and never in cash.
- Confirm any deposit is protected in an approved scheme and get the scheme details.
If a bank account name does not match the person or company you are dealing with, stop. That mismatch alone is enough reason to walk away.
If something looks wrong on PointClickView
Every listing has a report link. Reports go straight to our moderation queue with the details you give us. We review, and we can remove a listing and suspend an advertiser. We never pass your report to the advertiser.
If you have already paid
- Contact your bank immediately and ask about the authorised push payment reimbursement rules.
- Report it to Action Fraud, or to Police Scotland on 101 in Scotland.
- Keep every message, receipt and advertisement screenshot.
- Tell us, so we can remove the listing and preserve what we hold.
Genuine advertisers expect questions and are not offended by checks. Fraudsters are.