Is this a scam?
Property fraud costs UK buyers, renters and investors millions every year. Tick what applies to your situation and see the warning signs, then read how to protect yourself.
No red flags ticked.
Before paying: confirm bank details by phone, check the owner on the title register, and compare the price with sold prices in a Plotlumen report.
Scams and pitfalls to know about
- Payment fraud when buying or selling
Criminals hack email and pose as your solicitor or agent to change the bank details, often on a Friday near completion. Never trust bank details sent by email.
- Title fraud: someone selling or mortgaging your property
Fraudsters can pose as an owner to sell or borrow against a property. Empty, rented or mortgage-free homes are most at risk. Free alerts and a restriction help.
- Rental scams (for tenants and landlords)
Fake listings ask for money before a viewing. In England a holding deposit is capped at one week's rent and most other fees are banned.
- Property investment scams
"Guaranteed" returns on hotel rooms, student pods, care home rooms, storage units, parking spaces or land plots are classic warning signs. Many are unregulated schemes; some are frauds.
- The most common buying mistakes
The things buyers most often regret: skipping the survey, not reading the lease, missing building approvals, and underestimating costs.
Five rules that stop most property fraud
- Never trust bank details sent by email or text. Phone to confirm, on a number you already had.
- Never pay before you've seen the property and checked who owns it.
- No investment is "guaranteed". Check firms on the FCA register.
- Use your own solicitor, not one chosen by the seller or promoter.
- Protect what you own with HM Land Registry's free Property Alert.