The Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) has identified a concerning trend where scammers are copying legitimate rental listings and modifying them with altered rental prices, tenancy conditions, and false contact information to deceive potential tenants.
The scammers’ tactics have become increasingly sophisticated, with fraudsters creating convincing duplicates of genuine property listings that can be difficult to distinguish from legitimate advertisements.
REIV CEO Kelly Ryan said it was important for renters to seek verification before engaging with any rental listing.
“Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and it is important that we all take the necessary precautions before we engage,” Ms Ryan said.
The organisation has outlined several steps that prospective renters should take to protect themselves.
These include verifying agent credentials through official channels and checking the legitimacy of property listings through established real estate platforms.
“One of the ways to verify a legitimate listing is to look for an agency-specific internet domain, as scammers tend to use personal emails,” Ms Ryan said.
“It is good practice to seek out the agent’s contact details directly from their website or by calling the registered office.”
The REIV strongly advises against transferring any money for bonds or rent before thoroughly verifying the legitimacy of the listing and the agent.
This includes checking the agent’s credentials through official sources such as the Business Licensing Authority and Consumer Affairs Victoria’s public register.
Property seekers and property managers are encouraged to use established real estate platforms such as realestate.com.au, Domain, and View.com.au to help renters find legitimate agents and listings.
These platforms have built-in security measures that help protect users from fraudulent activities.
The surge in rental scams comes at a time when the rental market is particularly competitive, making vulnerable renters more susceptible to fraudulent schemes that promise attractive deals.
“If in doubt, REIV members and their contact details are listed on reiv.com.au,” Ms Ryan said.
“It is essential for prospective renters to remain vigilant and take advantage of the verification tools available to protect themselves from these sophisticated scams.”
