• Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
No Result
View All Result
Student Living South Africa
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
    • Community
    • Ground Up
    • Crime
    • Provincial
    • National
  • Lifestyle
    • Entertainment
  • Sports
    • Schools Sports
    • Club Sports
  • People
  • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Community
    • Ground Up
    • Crime
    • Provincial
    • National
  • Lifestyle
    • Entertainment
  • Sports
    • Schools Sports
    • Club Sports
  • People
  • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
No Result
View All Result
Student Living South Africa
Home General

WEB OF SCAMS

Jan Laubscher by Jan Laubscher
June 13, 2024
Reading Time: 3 mins read
1 0
0
WEB OF SCAMS
Share on FacebookShare on X

While the Internet is an extremely useful tool, it has also made it easier for criminals to prey on prospective tenants – with the number of fraud incidences on the increase. Adrian Goslett, regional director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, warns that there are criminals who use the Internet to scam potential tenants.

“Emotional, enthusiastic tenants who are excited at the prospect of finding the ideal rental property are more susceptible to fraudulent activity. Time is also a factor. Tenants are often eager to find the right home within a limited time frame, which can make them vulnerable targets,” says Goslett.

“Tenants move for various reasons, such as job opportunities or personal issues, which could make them more desperate to find a place to stay and less cautious in their approach.”

How do rental scams work?
A scammer will attempt to get money from a potential tenant for a rental property which they are not in a legal position to offer for rental. The fraudster will place an advertisement for a property, usually offering a good deal.

Often the advertisement will include photos of the property. The rental property could either be real or fictitious, with the scammer impersonating the landlord or rental agent.

The scammer will ask that a deposit and possibly the first month’s rent be paid into their account to secure the property. Once the unsuspecting tenant has transferred the agreed amount, the scammer disappears. Vigilant tenants can decrease their chances of becoming rental scam victims.

“Even if the property is listed on a reputable website, it could still be a rental scam. Keep your guard up at all times. Crafty rental scammers are resourceful and often manage to get their listings onto search portals,” Goslett advises.

“Also trust your gut. If, at any stage, you feel there is something wrong, the whole thing is rushed with unwarranted pressure, information is being withheld, or it all seems too good to be true – walk away.” Tenants should contact the numbers supplied by the “landlord” or “rental agent” to make sure their office actually exists and is part of the brand they claim to represent. A reputable agency will be able to provide the tenant with all the information about the rental agent and their rental listings.

STUDENT LIVING TIPS

Things to watch out for
– Do not transfer money without meeting the landlord and seeing the actual property – images and information on a website is not sufficient proof that the deal is above board.

– Landlords and rental agents have a vetting process for tenants, including a credit check. Beware of “landlords” or “rental agents” willing to sign contracts without following the correct protocols.

– Be wary of “landlords” or “rental agents” who request excessive deposits or too many months’ rent upfront.

– A lease agreement is an essential contract that protects both parties; do not trust a landlord who says there is no need for one.

– Before signing a lease agreement, have legal representation review the contract.

“Unfortunately, there is no foolproof way to avoid a rental scam completely,” says Goslett. “However, potential tenants could be more protected if they pay attention to the warning signs.”

Jan Laubscher

Jan Laubscher

Your WordPress Partner

Related Posts

SASF TOGETHER WITH STUDENTS MARCHED TO DHET FOR NSFAS ISSUES

SASF TOGETHER WITH STUDENTS MARCHED TO DHET FOR NSFAS ISSUES

by Staff Reporter
June 27, 2025
0
42

By: Mandhlazi Rodger Students from various universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges gathered in Pretoria to...

GRADE 11 LEARNER FATALLY STABBED OUTSIDE LESEDI SECONDARY SCHOOL IN MAMELODI

GRADE 11 LEARNER FATALLY STABBED OUTSIDE LESEDI SECONDARY SCHOOL IN MAMELODI

by Staff Reporter
June 23, 2025
0
76

By Zanele Makola A Grade 11 learner was fatally stabbed outside Lesedi Secondary School in Mamelodi East on Tuesday, June...

WSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor Gunned Down Near Campus

WSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor Gunned Down Near Campus

by Staff Reporter
June 23, 2025
0
43

By Zanele Makola Eastern Cape police have launched a murder investigation following the fatal shooting of a senior Walter Sisulu...

Mashatile Calls Youth Unemployment a “Moral Emergency” at Youth Day Event 2025

Mashatile Calls Youth Unemployment a “Moral Emergency” at Youth Day Event 2025

by Staff Reporter
June 18, 2025
0
40

By Rodger Mandhlazi Deputy President Paul Mashatile didn’t mince his words at this year’s Youth Day commemoration in Potchefstroom, North...

CATASTROPHIC PLANE CRASH IN RIETVLEI CLAIMS LIVES OF THREE STUDENTS

CATASTROPHIC PLANE CRASH IN RIETVLEI CLAIMS LIVES OF THREE STUDENTS

by Staff Reporter
June 16, 2025
0
41

By Zanele Makola A devastating light aircraft crash in Rietvlei, KwaZulu-Natal, has claimed the lives of three young students, casting...

Gauteng Set to Introduce High-Tech Number Plates to Fight Crime

Gauteng Set to Introduce High-Tech Number Plates to Fight Crime

by Staff Reporter
June 12, 2025
0
33

By Omphile Maebane Gauteng motorists will soon be required to switch to new high-tech number plates as the provincial government...

Recent Posts

  • SASF TOGETHER WITH STUDENTS MARCHED TO DHET FOR NSFAS ISSUES
  • Publishers Gather to Shape R114 Million Digital News Fund
  • GRADE 11 LEARNER FATALLY STABBED OUTSIDE LESEDI SECONDARY SCHOOL IN MAMELODI
  • WSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor Gunned Down Near Campus
  • Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: The Teens on a Mission Foundation

Recent Comments

No comments to show.

About Us

Student Living South Africa

Student Living South Africa is a digital news platform by MeD8 Media, empowering tertiary students with reliable news and insights. It provides journalism students hands-on experience while fostering credibility. A member of the Press Council and AIP, it connects students nationwide, ensuring relevant, trusted information for their academic and personal growth.

Member of

Subscribed to

Developed by

Subcribed to

Newsletter

Student Living South Africa

Subscribe to our newsletter for credible news, exciting competitions, and event updates tailored for tertiary students. Don’t miss out—stay connected and informed!

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Editorial Policy
  • Cookie Policy (ZA)
  • Editorial Policy
  • Lifestyle

© 2024 Publsihed by - MeD8 Media.

No Result
View All Result
  • Politics
  • Municpality
  • Local Business
  • Provincial
  • National
  • Entertainment
  • Events
  • Schools
  • Announcements
  • Sports
  • Community
  • Letter
  • Crime
  • People
  • Local Heros
  • Food

© 2024 Publsihed by - MeD8 Media.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Manage Cookie Consent
We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}