It usually starts with excitement.
After weeks of scrolling through listings, you finally find one that looks perfect: fair price, clean photos, and a great location. You message the agent, and they reply right away. They sound professional and confident. A viewing is arranged, and everything seems in order.
Then comes the message:
“If you pay the deposit today, I can secure it before someone else does.”
You pay. The next morning, the number doesn’t exist. The listing is gone and so is your money.
Rental scams like this are becoming common across South Africa. Scammers copy legitimate listings, impersonate real agents, and prey on hopeful renters. Some even pretends to be the landlord.
This post will help you:
- Spot the warning signs of a rental scam
- Ask the right questions before you rent
- Verify listings and agents safely before paying a cent
Why Scam Awareness Matters for Renters in South Africa.
Most renters who fall victim to scams aren’t careless, they’re hopeful. Scammers take advantage of that optimism and pressure to move quickly.
How Rental Scams Actually Work.
Here is a particularly sneaky trick to watch out for.
A scammer will find a genuine rental listing from a real estate agency, copy all the photos and details, and advertise it as their own.
When you inquire, they begin the real trick. The scammer contacts the real agent of that property and pretends to be an interested renter. They schedule a viewing.
The scammer then gives you, the victim, the details for that exact viewing. On the day, they call the real agent with an excuse, saying something like, “I can’t make it, but my sister (or girlfriend) will be there to view it for me.”
You arrive and the real agent, who is completely unaware of the scam, gives you a full tour of the property. Everything feels legitimate because you met a real agent and saw the apartment. The agent thinks you’re viewing on behalf of your “brother,” while you assume the agent is the person you have been talking with or works with the person you’ve been messaging.
After the viewing, the scammer contacts you immediately (because he is lurking outside the property monitoring events). They create urgency, saying you must pay the deposit immediately, or risk losing the property. Because you just saw it with a real agent, you feel safe and send the money. The scammer then disappears.
This trick works because it mixes truth with deception. You see the real property but deal with the wrong person.
This is one trick. There are variation of this.
Why It’s Happening More Often.
With more people renting online through WhatsApp, Facebook Marketplace, and property portals, scammers have more opportunities. They hide behind digital communication and play on your sense of urgency and carelessness.
Common phrases include:
“There are other applicants waiting.”
“The landlord wants to finalise today.”
Being aware of these tactics gives you the confidence to slow down and double check before committing.
A Simple Prevention Step.
Before every viewing or payment, check the agent’s registration on the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA) website.
Every legitimate agent in South Africa must have a valid Fidelity Fund Certificate (FFC). A real agent will show it. A scammer will dodge or delay. If they cannot immediately provide you with it, call their office, from the number you obtain online and not the one the scammer provided as the office number.
Red Flags: Signs a Rental Listing Might Be a Scam.
Too-Good-to-Be-True Prices.
If the rent seems much cheaper than similar properties nearby, be cautious. Scammers use low prices to attract quick interest.
Requests for Payment Before Viewing.
No genuine agent will ask for money before a viewing or before signing a lease. “Pay to secure” is a big warning sign.
No Credit Check Necessary Says The Scammer.
Scammers will convince you that there is no need for credit check or promised to do it but never did.
Suspicious Contact Details.
Be wary of Gmail or WhatsApp only “agents.” Real ones use company emails and office lines. Always confirm their details through the PPRA or the agency’s website.
Call via WhatsApp Video.
Call out of the blues via WhatsApp video. This is for you to match the face with the profile picture, in some cases and also "see" who you are dealing with.
Avoidance of In-Person Meetings.
If the agent is “out of town” or constantly unavailable, that’s a red flag. Real professionals will meet you or send verified staff.
Lack of Paperwork & Proper Lease Agreement.
Scammers avoid documentation. Real agents issue leases, receipts, and proof of trust accounts. No paperwork means no payment.
Questions to Ask Your Agent Before Renting (To Verify Legitimacy)
Identity and Registration.
Ask these directly:
- “Are you registered with the PPRA?”
- “Can I see your Fidelity Fund Certificate?”
- “Which agency do you represent, and where is your office located?”
- Check the agency's website for other properties listed by the agent and or the agency.
Legitimate agents will answer confidently. Scammers will make excuses or get defensive.
Mandate & Instruction To List.
- “Do you have a written mandate to rent this property?”
Real agents can provide these easily. Scammers usually can’t.
Payment and Deposit.
- “Is my deposit held in a trust account?”
- “Will I receive a lease and official receipt before payment?”
Deposits should always go into a verified agency trust or business account, never a personal account or eWallet.
How to Verify the Listing, Property & Agent.
Check the Listing.
- Search the address and description on Google.
- Run a reverse image search on the photos.
- Confirm the property appears on the agency’s official website.
- Call the agent's office at different times of the day using the number from their website, not the one the agent gave you
Confirm the Agent.
- Check the PPRA database for their registration.
- Call the agency using the number from their website, not the one the agent gave you.
- Ask for proof of mandate or ID before proceeding.
During the Viewing.
- Ensure the person showing the property is the same one you’ve been speaking to.
- Look for visible agency branding or signage, in case there is a rental board. Other things to look out for are agency badge and business card.
- Never pay immediately after a viewing: take time to verify. Only pay after you have received the receipt.
Paper Trail.
- An application form on agency letterhead must be completed.
- A written lease on agency letterhead.
- Signed details of the parties involved.
- Receipts for all payments.
Keep every message, email, and document. They protect you if things go wrong.
Checklist Before Paying a Deposit.
- Confirm the agent’s PPRA registration.
- Verify the property’s existence and availability.
- Ensure you have completed an Application Form.
- Review the lease for accuracy and official branding.
- Pay only into verified trust accounts.
- Keep all proof of communication and payment.
- Stop and recheck if anything feels off.
- At Caritas Properties for example, the agent is not involved from the point of Application form onward. The Admin, or Manager take care of this process.
What to Do If You Suspect a Rental Scam.
Stop and Save Everything.
Pause all communication and payments. Take screenshots of chats, ads, and proof of payment before they disappear.
Report It.
- Your Bank: Contact their fraud division immediately.
- SAPS: File a report with supporting evidence.
- PPRA: Report the impersonation or false representation.
- Property Platform: Request the fake listing be removed.
Warn Others.
Share your experience on Facebook, community WhatsApp groups, or neighbourhood forums. You might save someone else from losing money.
Learn and Rebuild.
Even if you lost money, your experience becomes protection. Knowing what to look for next time puts you back in control.
Conclusion & Call to Action.
Finding a place to rent should be exciting and not risky. Scammers win when renters rush and skip verification. When you slow down, ask questions, and confirm details, you take their power away.
Stay alert. Trust your instincts. Verification is protection, not paranoia.
💡 Before you rent again: Request for a copy of our Free Rental Verification Checklist for South African Renters. It includes every question and step you need to confirm a listing or agent before you pay.
If you are suspicious of anyone as posing as an agent, pause, stop communications and check the PPRA website immediately and report at the nearest SAPS. Your caution might save someone else.
In addition, reach out through our contact form. We’ll help you get the property of your choice.
