“For a start, never send money to secure a place without seeing it first. You may be in a hurry to find somewhere to live, or you’re moving to another town or city and won’t be able to visit it beforehand, but try and make a plan if possible if you think it’s legitimate and worth the effort. Perhaps someone you know can view the property on your behalf, because scammers know just how to take advantage of people who’re in a rush or can’t view the property themselves. Scammers will make all kinds of claims why you need to send money, but don’t fall into that trap. Chances are, you’ll cough up the cash and merely end up outside of a place, ready to move in, and it’s in no way yours to live in”.

Be aware of rooms to rent that are suspiciously low for a particular area as well. In these situations, a scammer entices someone with the lure of a supposedly good deal, gets them to send money, and you can imagine how that story comes to a close.

Western Union is another way scammers attempt to swindle their victims. No matter what they say, never use this service to transfer funds. It allows the swindler to collect the money and disappear if they have a shady contact who works within Western Union services.

Be careful with the personal details you send out, too. With online fraud at an all time high, it’s best to be cautious. If you’re uncertain of the person you’re dealing with, don’t be afraid to ask for references, like a bill, as they might in turn ask of you.

Once you’ve moved in, though, don’t forget to sign a tenancy agreement. This is an all important document that protects both you and the landlord, including protecting your deposit, and guaranteeing that you can’t be evicted unfairly and before the agreed notice period.