Too many false real estate ads online: the signals not to be ignored

Many personal or professional reasons can lead to looking for housing to rent. Several online platforms offer announcements for all types of profiles. However, some contain False announcements intended to scam users. These scams promise attractive offers to extract money before disappearing. However, certain clues make it possible to locate them, and the platforms generally offer the possibility of reporting them.

The photos: first to betray

The quality and the number of photos can be a first indicator to identify a possible real estate scam. False announcements often have overused, poorly framed, overexposed or pixelated images, signs of a possible resumption of screenshots. However, this criterion remains insufficient alone, because some scams take up authentic announcements, especially from agencies, with good quality photos. Analysis of shots can therefore help to awaken suspicion, but does not guarantee the Detection of fraud.

The announcement evokes an apartment of 34 m² in the Paris region, but presents only three poor quality photos. This limited number of images makes it difficult to assess the property, especially for an area of this size.

The price: too good to be true

The price is often the first element that draws attention to an advertisement. Real estate scams frequently use prices lower than average to capture interest. It is therefore advisable to check the price per m² in the area concerned. In the example of an apartment of 34 m² in the Paris region offered at € 575 per month, the price significantly lower than the market may constitute an alert signal.

In the announcement studied, the rent offered for an apartment of 34 m² is lower than that of a two -time good located in the same sector. Some sites, such as Seloger, offer comparative tools to locate a property compared to local prices. Here, with a price of € 15.44/m² against an average of € 18.44/m² in the area, the gap seems significant and can strengthen the suspicions of scam.

Trap psychology

The art of nesting you

Schools use rhetorical techniques to establish confidence with their victims. If the announcement does not arouse distrust, it is often during the exchanges that the attempts at manipulation appear. They rely on three classic principles of rhetoric: ethos, by treating their credibility through a coherent identity, a well -written discourse and false supporting documents; Pathos, playing on emotion through touching personal stories, such as separation or departure abroad, to justify an abnormally low rent.

In the example, the crook evokes a professional change in his partner, a reason frequently used to arouse empathy. False owners often use a careful formatting in their messages, with fat text to support their speech. Once the confidence has been established, they mobilize the logos, by providing logical explanations to each inconsistency. An interlocutor too available, with too fluid and flawless speech, can constitute an alert signal.

In this example, the crook justifies the impossibility of organizing a first classic visit, preferring to group the steps to save time. This type of argument, presented as practical or logical, can be used to hide an attempt at fraud.

Suspicious requests

From the first contacts, the advertiser can request personal documents, such as an identity document. It generally justifies this requirement by presenting it as a compulsory step to validate a candidacy or start the rental process. This early request can be an alert signal.

The crooks can gradually claim several personal documents: identity document, pay sheets, tax notice, or even bank details. This information is sensitive and can be used for identity theft. However, legally, no document is due before a visit to the property. A complete request for file from the first exchanges must alert.

Victim ? Here is what to do

In the event of a real estate scam, it is important to keep all the evidence. You must also notify your bank quickly to oppose and, if possible, obtain a refund. At the same time, a report must be made, both on the platform where the scam took place and with the authorities. False announcements can notably be reported on the official platform Thesededicated to the reports of online scams.

To report a scam on the Thesee platform, certain conditions must be met: not have physically met the author of the facts and have undergone financial loss. If these criteria are not met, the most appropriate approach remains to go directly to a police station to file a complaint.

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