Rental Scams on OnTheMarket
OnTheMarket is a UK property portal that lists properties exclusively through member estate agents and letting agents. The platform was founded by agents as an alternative to Rightmove and Zoopla, and its agent-only model means listings generally have a higher baseline of legitimacy. However, scams can still occur through off-platform impersonation.
Common Scam Types on OnTheMarket
Agent Impersonation Off-Platform
Scammers scrape listings from OnTheMarket and repost them on social media or classifieds sites, using a different phone number or email. Victims who find the scraped listing communicate with the scammer instead of the real letting agent.
Email Spoofing for Deposit Payments
After a legitimate rental agreement is reached through an OnTheMarket-listed agent, scammers send spoofed emails with altered bank details for the deposit transfer. The email appears to come from the agent but directs payment to the scammer's account.
Fake New-Build Scams
Scammers list properties from new-build developments that have not yet been completed, using CGI images and floor plans from the developer's website. They collect holding deposits for units that either do not exist yet or that they have no authority to let.
Safety Tips for OnTheMarket
- ✓Verify that the letting agent is a member of OnTheMarket by checking the platform's agent directory.
- ✓Always confirm bank details by calling the agent's office directly using the number from OnTheMarket, not from an email.
- ✓Check the agent's credentials with The Property Ombudsman or the Property Redress Scheme.
- ✓Be cautious with new-build listings -- verify directly with the developer's sales team.
- ✓Never pay deposits based solely on email instructions without verbal confirmation.
How to Report Scams on OnTheMarket
Contact OnTheMarket's support team to report suspicious listings. For fraud involving financial loss, report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk.
Report a Scam →OnTheMarket Scam Risk Level
Low RiskOnTheMarket is rated as low risk for rental scams due to its agent-based listing model. However, no platform is completely scam-proof. Scammers may clone OnTheMarket listings onto other platforms, so always verify through the official listing.
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