Rightmove Rental Scam UK: How to Spot Fake Properties and Protect Yourself
Rightmove is the UK's most trusted property portal—but scammers use that trust against you. Here's how to rent safely.
What is this scam?
A Rightmove rental scam involves criminals posing as legitimate landlords or letting agents to trick renters into paying fake deposits or upfront fees. The scammer either creates a fake Rightmove listing or clones an existing genuine property, often copying photos and descriptions from real listings. They contact interested renters and pressurize them to pay deposits, holding fees, or 'admin charges' before the viewing is even arranged. Once payment is sent, the scammer disappears. Victims discover the fraud only when they try to arrange access to the property or contact the landlord directly. The scam exploits renters' urgency when searching for accommodation and the high trust many UK renters place in Rightmove as a vetted platform. In reality, Rightmove does moderate listings but cannot catch every fraudulent property, especially if it's a cloned version of a real one with legitimate photos.
Warning signs to look for
- Property listed at significantly below market rate for the area, or suspiciously low rent compared to similar properties on Rightmove.
- Landlord or agent requests payment via bank transfer, PayPal, cryptocurrency, or gift cards instead of legitimate deposit schemes like TDS or Deposit Protection Service.
- Landlord or agent pressures you to pay a deposit or holding fee without viewing the property first, even when you request a viewing.
- Listing uses generic or professional photos that appear to be stock images, or photos are identical to another property listed elsewhere.
- Landlord communicates only via email, WhatsApp, or messaging apps—never by phone or through official Rightmove messaging if contacted via the platform.
- Landlord or agent has poor grammar, spelling errors in messages, or uses odd phrasing that sounds non-native English.
- Property is listed by multiple agents or landlords on different platforms under different contact details.
- Rightmove listing is very new (less than 48 hours old) but described as 'urgent rental' or 'must let quickly'.
How this scam works step by step
Step 1: The scammer identifies a genuine rental property on Rightmove or another UK property portal, often one listed by a legitimate agent. They download the photos, description, and rental price. Step 2: They create a fake Rightmove account or post the listing to a less-moderated platform, or contact you directly via email/WhatsApp claiming to be the landlord, offering the same property. Step 3: When you express interest, they claim the property is 'very popular' and request an upfront payment—usually a 'holding fee' (£100–£300) to secure the viewing, or a full deposit (typically £600–£1,500) before you've viewed it. Step 4: They pressure you to pay via bank transfer, claiming they need proof of funds or that the property will be let to someone else by end of day. Step 5: Once you send the money, the scammer stops responding to messages. Step 6: You attempt to view the property through Rightmove and discover no such listing exists, or you contact the real landlord via Rightmove and learn the property is genuine but you've been defrauded. The money is untraceable by then.
How to verify if it is genuine
If you're viewing a Rightmove rental, always verify it via the official Rightmove platform first. Search the property address or agent name directly on Rightmove.com to confirm the listing exists there. Call the letting agent's phone number listed on Rightmove directly—not a number given to you by email or WhatsApp—and ask them to confirm they're marketing that property and the asking price. If you're contacted by email or WhatsApp claiming to be from Rightmove or a landlord, check the sender's email address carefully: scammers often use addresses like 'rightmoveproperties.co.uk' or 'rightmove-rental.com' rather than the official domain. Visit our guide on /guides/is-this-website-a-scam/ for detailed email verification steps. Never rely on photos alone; ask for a virtual tour link or video call with the landlord. Legitimate landlords and agents welcome video viewings. Ask the landlord or agent to confirm their identity by providing their company registration number or agent reference, which you can verify on the Propertymark or ARLA Propertymark websites.
What to do if you have already interacted
If you've sent money or are about to: stop all communication with the scammer immediately and do not send further funds, even if they claim you need to pay a second fee to 'unlock' your deposit or complete the transaction. Contact your bank within 2 hours of realizing the fraud. Many UK banks participate in Faster Payments Guarantee, which may allow you to recover the money within 10 days if the receiving account hasn't already emptied the funds. Provide your bank with all evidence: email chains, WhatsApp messages, bank transfer confirmation, and screenshots of the property listing. If you've shared personal information (passport, driving licence, proof of address), contact Experian and Equifax to request a fraud alert on your credit file, and monitor your credit report for unauthorized applications. Do not visit the property address if you feel unsafe doing so. Report the scam immediately to Action Fraud and the NCSC using the contact details below. Save all evidence as the police may need it for investigation, though most rental scams result in limited police action due to volume.
Reporting this scam in the UK
Report the scam to Action Fraud (the UK's national fraud reporting service) by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting actionfraud.police.uk. Provide them with the scammer's email address, bank details (if available), and a copy of the Rightmove listing. Report the fake Rightmove listing directly to Rightmove by clicking 'Report listing' at the bottom of the property page, or email their fraud team at fraud@rightmove.co.uk with the property URL and details of your interaction. If the scammer contacted you via email, forward it to the NCSC Suspicious Email Reporting Service at report@phishing.gov.uk, especially if the email claims to be from Rightmove. If you received an SMS or WhatsApp message impersonating a landlord, forward SMS to 7726 (SPAM). Report the scam to Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 if you've lost money and need advice on recovery or if you need consumer rights guidance. If your bank transfer was made to a suspicious account name, report it to your bank's fraud team immediately. Keep copies of all reports and reference numbers for your records.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rightmove itself a scam, or is the platform legitimate?
Rightmove is a legitimate, UK-regulated property portal used by millions of renters and landlords safely every year. However, like any large marketplace, it can't catch every fraudulent listing, especially when scammers clone genuine properties using real photos. Always verify listings directly through Rightmove and contact agents using the phone numbers shown on the official listing, not contact details provided separately via email or WhatsApp.
I've already sent a deposit to a fake landlord. Can I get my money back?
Contact your bank immediately—within 2 hours if possible—to report the fraud. If the receiving account belongs to a UK bank, the Faster Payments Guarantee may allow recovery if you act within 10 days and the account hasn't been emptied. Your bank will submit a recall request to the receiving bank. Report the scam to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 for a crime reference number, which your bank may need. Recovery is not guaranteed, but early action gives you the best chance.
What should I do if the fake landlord keeps emailing me asking for more money for 'admin fees' or 'final payment'?
Do not send any further money. This is a common tactic called 'advance-fee fraud.' Block the email address, delete the messages, and report the sender immediately to Action Fraud and the NCSC. Do not engage with requests for additional payments, no matter how official or urgent they sound. If the scammer contacts you via phone, do not confirm any personal details and hang up.
How do I report a fake Rightmove rental listing?
Report the listing directly to Rightmove by clicking 'Report listing' at the bottom of the property page on Rightmove.com, or email fraud@rightmove.co.uk with the property URL and details of the scam. Also report the scammer's email address to the NCSC at report@phishing.gov.uk, and file a report with Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or actionfraud.police.uk. Provide Rightmove with any communication you've had with the scammer so they can remove the listing and flag the account.