If you suspect a scam, stop all contact immediately and report it to Uniplaces. Never pay outside the platform — Uniplaces will never ask you to pay via bank transfer or any method outside the website.
Signs you might be getting scammed
Most rental scams follow recognisable patterns. Watch out for these red flags:
- Requests to pay outside Uniplaces — bank transfer, cash, PayPal to a personal account, or any method outside the platform. This is the most common scam signal.
- Prices significantly below market rate — a private room in Lisbon for €200/month or a studio in Barcelona for €300/month should raise immediate suspicion.
- Landlord claims to be abroad — and says they’ll send keys by post or courier after you pay a deposit. This is a classic scam setup.
- Pressure to decide quickly — “I have other interested tenants, you need to confirm now.” Legitimate landlords give you time to decide.
- Photos that look too perfect — stock images or photos copied from interior design websites. Reverse image search any photos you’re suspicious of.
- Communication moved off-platform — landlord asks you to continue via WhatsApp or email before a booking is confirmed.
Step 1 — Stop all contact immediately
If something feels wrong, trust that instinct. Stop responding to the person immediately — do not send any more messages, do not share any personal documents, and do not make any payment under any circumstances.
Engaging further — even to confront the scammer — gives them more opportunity to pressure you. The right move is to go silent and report.
Step 2 — Do not make any payments outside Uniplaces
Uniplaces will never ask you to pay via bank transfer, cash, or any method outside the platform. All legitimate payments on Uniplaces go through the checkout on the website — cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal or Klarna.
If anyone claiming to be from Uniplaces or your landlord asks for a payment outside the platform, that is a scam. It doesn’t matter how convincing their explanation sounds — do not pay.
Step 3 — Report to Uniplaces immediately
Contact the Uniplaces support team and report the situation. Include:
- The listing URL or reference number
- The name or email address of the person who contacted you
- Screenshots of any suspicious messages
- Details of any payment requests made outside the platform
Uniplaces takes fraud reports seriously and investigates all reports. Fraudulent listings are removed and reported accounts are suspended. Your report also protects other tenants who might encounter the same scammer.
Step 4 — Report to local authorities if needed
If you’ve already made a payment outside the platform and believe you’ve been defrauded, report it to your local police and your bank immediately. Your bank may be able to reverse the transaction if you act quickly enough.
In Portugal, report to the Polícia Judiciária. In Spain, the Guardia Civil or Policía Nacional. In Italy, the Polizia Postale. In Germany, your local Polizei. In France, the Police Nationale.
How Uniplaces protects you
Every listing on Uniplaces goes through a review process before going live. Landlords must verify their identity and property details. The UniTrust Guarantee means your payment is protected from the moment you book until after you move in.
The safest rule: if someone asks you to take any step outside the Uniplaces platform — pay differently, communicate elsewhere, or skip the booking process — that’s a scam. Full stop.
When to contact Uniplaces support
- You’ve received a suspicious message from someone claiming to be a landlord or Uniplaces
- You’ve been asked to pay outside the platform
- You believe you’ve encountered a fraudulent listing
- You’ve already made a payment and suspect fraud
Frequently asked questions
What if I’ve already paid outside the platform?
Contact your bank immediately and ask them to reverse the transaction — acting within the first few hours gives you the best chance of recovery. Also report the fraud to Uniplaces support and to your local police. Save all evidence — messages, payment receipts, names and email addresses.
Can I verify a listing is real before booking?
Yes — all live listings on Uniplaces have passed a review process. If you’re unsure about a listing, check whether it appears on the actual Uniplaces website. If someone shares a link that doesn’t lead to uniplaces.com, don’t trust it. You can also contact Uniplaces support to verify a listing reference before proceeding.
What if the landlord seems legitimate but asks for a deposit outside Uniplaces?
This is still a scam signal, even if everything else seems genuine. Legitimate landlords on Uniplaces do not ask for payments outside the platform. Report it to Uniplaces support immediately — do not make the payment.
Will Uniplaces refund me if I was scammed on the platform?
If you made a payment through the Uniplaces platform and something went wrong, the UniTrust Guarantee applies and the support team will investigate. Payments made outside the platform are not covered by Uniplaces’ protections — this is why keeping all activity on the platform is so important.
Still need help?
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