How to spot a rental scam before you lose a deposit

Common red flags: pressure to pay before viewing, landlords who are “abroad” and need a holding deposit by instant transfer, listings far below market with no paperwork, and requests for passport copies plus payment in the same message. Never send a deposit to hold a room you have not inspected (or whose agent you cannot verify). Housemately does not custody deposits — if a site asks to hold money between strangers for a private letting, walk away. Report suspected fraud through official channels; use RTB resources for genuine tenancy disputes.