Looking for a property in Martinique? Beware of offers that seem too good to be true on listing portals.
On real estate listing portals, overly attractive offers often hide scams. How to spot them? Here are some tips.
Scammers have refined their techniques, imitating authentic real estate agents' listings, sometimes even using their logos. Their preferred target? Rental candidates, especially in high-demand areas. The stress of housing search makes some profiles vulnerable.
Listings with rents well below market should raise suspicions. Similarly, if the alleged owner requests a complete file before the visit, it's better to remain vigilant: identity theft may be the goal!
- Before sending your file, make sure the real estate agent exists by calling the agency directly. You can also secure your documents with a watermark via platforms like DossierFacile. Then, don't forget the list of so-called "legal" supporting documents: not everything can be requested from you.
- Initial exchanges often reveal scams: pressure to act fast, contact only by SMS or email, payment requests before lease signing... Absolutely no payment should be made before signing your lease. You can request the owner's ID or even proof of ownership.
Even with these precautions, favor traceable payments and avoid cash, prepaid cards or money order transfers.
Keywords:
real estate listing