CEO Letter
Avoid being
scammed when
you rent for the
Easter holidays
E
aster approaching we will like to warn people
that there are scammers trying to make money
from people looking for holiday accommodation.
We are bombarded with get rich quick schemes,
people often receive notifications about your
cellphone number having been selected to win
thousands or Rand’s, or from rich foreigners asking
for assistance to bring their funds into the country.
This is all in an effort to get hold of your banking
details so that they can help themselves to your
money.
Then you get the more resourceful scammers like
your fly by night letting agent. Their sole purpose is
to lure you into paying a deposit on a property they
have no mandate to let and that’s the last you will
hear of them.
What do you do to ensure the property you have
rented has been legitimately let to you and that the
property meets the description you have been given?
Follow these simple steps to learn how to identify
a scammer and how these scammers operate.
Use a reputable letting company. Local tourist
junction boards will carry information about
reputable companies. Be wary if an advert has
only the person’s name and cell phone number. All
reputable companies have websites with landline
Just Property Magazine
numbers. If you are in doubt, phone the landline and
check that the agent does work at the company.
The lease agreement and all other documentation
must be on branded stationery. Sign the lease before
paying a deposit.
If the letting agent asks you to deposit money into
a bank account that is not a recognizable company
bank account, don’t do this. The scam agent will try
to pressurize you into making a deposit by telling you
that there is a waiting list and that other tenants want
the property. If you pay the deposit into the name
of an individual that’s the last you will hear of this
person.
The bank account name and number must match
that of the letting company.
Ask the agency to provide you with proof that
your deposit is kept in an interest bearing account.
Stay safe and enjoy your Easter holidays!
John Roberts
CEO
Issue 7 2015
5