If you think a rental enquiry has become a scam, stop and organise the immediate risks. Money, account access and identity information may need different responses. Do not let embarrassment or a promise of quick repayment lead to another transfer or the loss of useful evidence.
Contact the payment provider
If money has been sent, tell your bank or payment provider promptly using a trusted contact route. Explain what happened and follow its instructions. Ask what information it needs and retain the case reference. Do not assume recovery is guaranteed or that contacting the advertiser first is the only available step.
Secure affected accounts
If login details were shared or an account appears compromised, use the provider’s official recovery process. The National Cyber Security Centre’s guide explains steps such as checking unwanted email forwarding, changing compromised passwords and ending existing sessions. Follow the instructions for the actual service rather than using a recovery link supplied by the suspicious contact.
Preserve the record
Keep the listing, messages, receipts, account details used for payment and relevant dates. Preserve originals where possible and make a concise timeline. Distinguish something you observed from a conclusion about who was responsible. Do not publish private identification documents or unverified accusations while trying to warn others.
Report through the appropriate route
Inform the platform or genuine organisation being impersonated and use the official fraud-reporting service for your location. Include the reference supplied by the bank if requested. Seek independent housing advice if the incident also leaves you without accommodation or involves an occupied property.
Be cautious about follow-up offers
An unexpected person promising to recover money for a new upfront fee deserves particular scrutiny. Verify contacts independently and do not share another password, code or payment because they claim to know about the original incident.
This editorial response checklist is not a promise of reimbursement or a finding that a particular person committed an offence. If there is an immediate threat to safety, use the emergency services. Reviewed 30 October 2026.
Source and further reading: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/recovering-a-hacked-account