Below are some common sense pointers to observe when interacting with others online, and will help you to spot any unusual behaviour.

Scam attempts are commonplace in websites that allow interaction between people. Here are some pointers which may help you detect scams:

  1. Always see the accommodation first, before paying a deposit or rent.
  2. Any requests for payments through untraceable money transfer services such as "Western Union Money Transfer" or "Moneygram" should be treated as highly suspicious.
  3. Overpayments scams: overpayments made with a request for the 'change' (sometimes blamed on a clerical error) should be treated suspiciously.
  4. Be wary of anyone who appears to want to remain distant from you, and does not wish to see you or the accommodation before parting with money.
  5. Do not disclose your banking information to individuals over the internet.

  1. Do not send images or copies of identification, such as your driving license or passport, which can be used in identity theft.
  2. Do not sign a contract or make a payment without seeing the accommodation first. Adverts for accommodation that does not exist is a common scam, and can be used to catch those moving to the UK. Protracted or seemingly awkward situations which make it difficult to see accommodation before paying a deposit or rent should be treated very cautiously. Those unable to see the accommodation might like to consider making use of a church reference and obtain church contact details through an official church website. Those working in a church office are likely to be only to willing to help vouch for the existance of a person, and their accommodation situation, and likewise those offering accommodation willing to connect you with their church to make.

If you receive a suspicious scam-type email we advise that you do not reply to the email, as this can only encourage those who send them. Those sending scam emails are likely to have sent multiple similar emails and will not be waiting on individual replies. Please forward unusual emails to us [email protected] so that we can prevent the same email going to other members.

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