How to spot accommodation scams in Paris or France or anywhere!
After spending time looking for accommodation you might be tired, and desperate and come across nice and attractive … accommodation SCAMS!
Be careful, to avoid accommodation scams here are some tips to help identify them :
– Firstly, the way they are written. The posts which look like they’ve been copied/pasted, contain lots of capitalization, contain random phrases, or have poor written English tend to be SCAMS.
– Secondly, the offers are often Too good to be true: Huge Bedroom, amazing photo and location for 450 € : Not Happening.
– Thirdly, the post misses some details: the post is vague with regards to the Area/arrondissement, Photos or Description of the apartment.
– Moreover, they ask for money in advance: Pay before your arrival and visit not possible. Most of the time the owner say he/she is at the international.
– Even if they send you their ID, don’t pay without visiting or without an agency.
– Finally, they have sometimes weird way of transferring via Western Union or Mandat Cash, etc but be careful sometimes it can also be a regular bank.
Example of scams encountered this summer by two of our students
From: tripe rognon <[email protected]>
“Je vous remercie pour l’intérêt accordé à mon appartement situé sur Paris (AVENUE DU GENERAL LECLERC3 pièces de 2 chambreS et Un séjour
Le loyer est de 520 EUROS charges comprises pour chaque chambre. Cet appartement est très propre et les charges renferment Le gaz, l’électricité et l’eau. Bonjour, Votre situation me convient et les 2 chambres sont encore disponibles pour la location. Apres réception de tout le dossier au complet une date commune sera trouvé afin qu’on puisse faire la visite rapidement.
Je vous établirai un contrat de location dûment signé. Je vous l’enverrai dans un premier temps si les conditions vous conviennent. Si les termes et clauses du contrat vous conviennent, vous le signer et vous me le renvoyer. Donc chacun aura alors une copie du contrat signé.
Ensuite, garantie de caution: (550 euros) a déposer obligatoirement par virement bancaire. Je vous enverrai le RIB afin de déposer la garantie de caution. Enfin, c’est suite à la réception du dossier complet de location inclus le reçu de l’ordre de virement comme tout les autres candidats que la visite sera faite. Je vis à Avignon donc je ne voudrai pas me déplacer inutilement.
Visite possible possible les mercredi, vendredi et dimanche de 17h à 20h.
NB : N’insistez pas je ne donnerai pas suite au dossier non complet.
” This is only the first mail and here are the mistakes we can already see :
– The offer is too good to be true (everything is included even gaz and electricity for 520 €.
– He asks everyone to pay before he has reserved the spot for anyone! Which means if 100 people liked the appartment he is going to receive 100 000 € and then give back the money to each of you who he didn’t take for the bedroom ? Sure ?
Finally : SCAMS ALERT.
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