In the current housing market, the search for a home is stressful enough without the threat of fraud. REIWA has issued an urgent warning following a sophisticated scam where fraudsters impersonated property owners to target vulnerable renters.
The Anatomy of the Scam
Scammers are becoming more brazen, using legitimate property listings, professional photos, and actual agency details to build a facade of trust.
In a recent case, a scammer contacted a tenant with a deal that seemed too good to pass up:
- The Hook: A luxury property advertised at $800/week instead of the actual $1,290/week.
- The Tactic: The scammer sent official-looking “Application to Rent” forms (Form 18) and instructed the tenant not to speak to anyone at the home open about the price.
- The Goal: To harvest personal identification or trick the tenant into paying a “holding deposit” or bond upfront.
Red Flags: Is Your “Landlord” Legitimate?
| Warning Sign | Why it’s a Red Flag |
| Too Good to Be True | If the rent is significantly lower than similar area listings, it’s likely a trap. |
| Pressure Tactics | Scammers rush you to send funds immediately so you “don’t miss out.” |
| “Out of Town” Owners | Claims of being overseas or interstate are common excuses to avoid meeting in person. |
| Platform Risks | Legitimate WA managers rarely use Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, or WhatsApp to find tenants. |
4 Rules to Protect Your Identity and Cash
1. Verify via Official Channels
If you find a listing on social media, cross-reference it on reiwa.com. If it’s managed by an agency, contact that agency directly using the number on their official website—never the number provided in a random message.
2. Never Pay Before a Lease
Never send a deposit, bond, or rent until your application is confirmed, you have personally inspected the property, and you have a signed lease agreement in hand. Legitimate agents will not ask for “holding fees” just to apply.
3. Conduct a Digital Audit
Use a reverse image search on property photos. Scammers often scrape high-quality images from old listings or properties in different cities to lure victims.
4. Protect Your Data
A rental application requires sensitive info (passports, bank details). Do not send these documents directly to an unverified “private landlord” via email or text.
What to Do if You Suspect a Scam
If you encounter a suspicious listing or have been targeted, report it immediately to protect others:
- WA ScamNet: scamnet.wa.gov.au
- Scamwatch: Report online at scamwatch.gov.au
Pro Tip: If you’re accepted for a rental but receive an email with “updated bank details” for the bond, stop. Call the property manager directly to verify the change over the phone.
Stay vigilant. In 2025 alone, 20 victims in WA lost over $51,000 to rental fraud. Don’t let your search for a home become a financial nightmare.
To minimise the risk of being the victim of a scam engage Josh Mezger @ Dome Properties to manage your property. He can be contacted via +61 488 0388 05 or josh@domeproperties.com.au
