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South Africans Lost Around R40 Billion to Scams Last Year

Don't Become the Next Rental Scam Victim

Finding a home to rent should be an exciting experience, but for thousands of South Africans, it ends in financial loss and heartbreak. While scammers target people in many different ways, rental scams have become one of the fastest-growing forms of property fraud in South Africa.
According to recent research, South Africans lost an estimated R40 billion to scams over a 12-month period. While this figure includes all forms of fraud—not just rental scams—it highlights the enormous financial impact scammers are having across the country.
If you're searching for a property to rent, now is the time to be extra cautious.

Why Rental Scams Are Increasing

Rental scammers know exactly how to exploit desperate tenants.With rental demand increasing in many areas, scammers advertise attractive properties at below-market prices to generate dozens of enquiries within hours.They often:
  • Copy photos from legitimate property listings.
  • Pretend to be the property owner or estate agent.
  • Use fake Facebook profiles or WhatsApp numbers.
  • Pressure tenants to pay deposits immediately.
  • Disappear once the money has been transferred.
By the time victims realise they've been scammed, the money is often impossible to recover.

The Real Cost of a Rental Scam

Many victims don't just lose a deposit.
They may also lose:
  • One or two months' rent paid in advance.
  • Application or administration fees.
  • Money spent on transport to view fake properties.
  • Time taken off work.
  • The opportunity to rent another legitimate property.
For many families, these losses amount to tens of thousands of rand and can leave them without accommodation when they need it most.

How to Protect Yourself

Before paying any money, always verify who you're dealing with.
Ask yourself:
  • Is the advertiser the registered owner of the property?
  • If they're an estate agent, are they registered with the PPRA and do they hold a valid Fidelity Fund Certificate (FFC)?
  • Has the owner actually authorised this person to advertise the property?
  • Is the rental price realistic for the area?
  • Are you being pressured to pay before viewing the property?
If you cannot confidently answer these questions, do not transfer any money.

Never Rush Because You're Under Pressure

Scammers create urgency.
They'll tell you:
  • "There are five other people interested."
  • "The first person to pay gets the property."
  • "I'm out of town, so just pay the deposit."
  • "I'll send the keys after payment."
These tactics are designed to stop you from asking questions or verifying the property.
A legitimate owner or registered property practitioner should understand why you want to confirm their authority before handing over your hard-earned money.

Property Owner Verification Can Save You Thousands

At A+ Properties, we've seen first-hand how many people are targeted by fake landlords, fake property owners and unlicensed operators.
That's why we've introduced our Property Owner Verification Service.
Our verification service helps establish whether the person advertising the property has the authority to do so, giving tenants greater confidence before making one of the biggest financial decisions they'll make that month.While no verification process can eliminate every possible risk, taking the time to verify the advertiser is one of the smartest steps you can take before paying a deposit.

Don't Become Another Statistic

Scammers rely on people acting quickly without verifying who they're dealing with.
A few minutes spent verifying a property advertiser could save you:
  • Thousands of rand.
  • Weeks of stress.
  • The disappointment of arriving at a property that was never available.
  • Becoming another victim of rental fraud.


Protect Yourself Today

Before paying a deposit or signing a lease, verify the person advertising the property. 
👉 https://apluspro.co.za/property-owner-verification-service-protect-yourself-against-rental-scams Buy // Sell // Rent Smartly.
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