Be aware of Property Scams
Be aware of Property Scams
This time of the year especially brings out the fraudsters and scammers. When it comes to property transactions, we plead with you to be extra vigilant. We have seen and heard of clients being scammed into parting with funds to secure holiday bookings and even long term accommodation. The modus operandi is for these scammers to use legitimate photos and write-ups and pose as property practitioners themselves or as property owners. They then get the clients to make payment into their bank accounts and unsuspecting clients arrive to fake accomodation,
Today we were alerted by a client that a property we were advertising was sent to him by a person posing as an agent. This person used our photos and sent the client the property at a much lower price and asked for a deposit to secure. We have asked the client to report this person to the police. Our client had posted on Facebook that he was looking for property and gave his contact details and almost fell prey to this fraudster!
If something is too good to be true...then it is generally too good to be true. In your desperation, do not fall prey to these scams.
Please do your research on the ''agents'' and''owners'' when making a booking. Call the company to verify and make sure the company itself is a genuinely trading property company with a Fidelity Fund Certificate. On the flip side too is a caution to genuine property owners as there are many "tenants" out there presenting very believable fraudulent information. Please check all supporting documents very carefully and verify the identity, work status etc of your potential client through reliable sources.
It's always best to handle your property transactions via reputable agencies.
Holiday Letting/Residential and Commercial Sales and Rentals - enquiries@prop247.co.za
28 Nov 2022
Author Julie Pillay
Author Julie Pillay