Flatwithme.com.au - Share Accommodation Scams


The Australian Competitor and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) SCAMwatch has issued a warning about scammers posting fake rental property and share accommodation listings on share accommodation websites.

SCAMwatch is warning prospective tenants to be wary when responding to advertisements where the "owner" makes various excuses why you can't inspect the property but insists on an upfront fee or deposit. These advertisers go to great lengths to ensure the listing looks genuine by including photos and real addresses of properties. The photos and addresses of these properties are easily obtained from the Internet.

Scammers will request money, often via money transfer, or personal details upfront to "secure" the rental property. SCAMwatch is warning consumers not send money or personal details to people you do not know and trust.

The ACCC's SCAMwatch advises the following:

	SCAMwatch warns consumers not to send money or provide personal details to people you don't know and trust.

	Warning signs - what to watch out for

		Too good to be true offers.
		Ongoing excuses as to why the property cannot be viewed, such as the owner is overseas.
		Securing the property requires an up front fee via money transfer.
		The prospective landlord lives overseas.

	How to protect yourself

		Insist on inspecting the property - a drive-by is not enough. With these types of scams, the property may genuinely exist, but it is owned by someone else.

		If it is overseas, ask someone you can trust to make inquiries. If there is a real estate agent or similar in the area they may be able to assist.

		Do not rely on any information provided to you from anyone recommended by the person advertising the property.

		An internet search on the name of the person offering the property and their email address may provide useful information.

		Where possible, avoid paying via money transfer. It is rare to recover money sent this way.
		There are many share accommodation websites, consider choosing the ones with clear warnings about scams or which offer added protection.

		If you are satisfied that the offer is legitimate and decide to accept it, keep copies of all correspondence, banking details and the listing itself.


Measures Taken By Flatwithme.com.au

To help combat share accommodation scams and let people report these types of scams, Flatwithme.com.au has taken a number of steps.

Flatwithme.com.au:

		Never lists or shows on Google Maps the physical address of a property on advertisements. Flatwithme.com.au only ever displays the state, region and suburb of the listing. Be careful of advertisers that decide to include the physical address of the property as part of their advertisement.

		Never gives out your email address or contact details when you contact the advertiser when you use the email advertiser contact form. You choose the information you give to any advertiser.


If you feel an advertisement is suspicious or a scam, you can report the listing to Flatwithme.com.au. You can do this by following these steps:

	1.	Go the advertisement page and click on the Report A Scam link on the top right hand corner of the page. This opens up a specially designed pop-up box.
	2.	Enter your name and contact details so Flatwithme.com.au can correspond with you regarding this matter.
	3.	Fill in the Tell Your Story box with as much detail as possible about your experience or concerns about this advertisement.
	4.	Press Send. This sends Flatwithme.com.au an email about your experiences and the details of the advertisement in question which Flatwithme.com.au can foward to the relevant authorities. Before passing on your personal information to any third party, Flatwithme.com.au will contact you directly to seek your permission. Flatwithme.com.au will not pass on any information about you before contacting you.

Measures Taken By Flatwithme.com.au