Just Property Magazine Volume 7 | Page 7

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