Rental Scams: How to Stay Safe as a Renter

Rental scams are on the rise. Scammers target renters because property deals involve large sums of money and urgency.

This guide will help you spot scams and stay safe.

Key Statistics

January to October 2024

Reported rental scams
430
Total losses
$2.7M
Average loss
$6,300

Source: CEA Rental Scams

Stay alert — scams can be costly.

🚩 Signs of rental scams

Scammers constantly come up with new methods. Learn the general warning signs rather than individual scenarios.

1. Too good to be true

  • Price is far below similar listings.
  • Offer sounds unrealistically good.
  • Always compare with similar properties.

2. Pressure, Urgency, or Intimidation

A scammer's goal is to steal your money. To do so, they use various tricks to manipulate you into sending money to them:

  • “Many people are interested, pay now to secure it!”
  • Guilt-tripping or scolding if you ask questions.
  • Urgency is used to make you rush.

3. Something feels off

Scammers often act in ways that don't follow standard rental practices. If something feels off, it's worth investigating. Examples include:

  • Weird payment methods — e.g., pay through an unknown link.
  • Refusal to meet or show the property in person.
  • Asking for a deposit before a proper agreement or ID check.

🛡 How to avoid rental scams

  • Don’t pay upfront: Confirm the property and owner first.
  • Check ownership: Ask for proof from landlords or tenants.
  • Check agents: Look up their number on the CEA public register. and meet in person.
  • Take your time: If rushed, pause and think.

👮🏻‍♂️ How Hozuko Fights Scams

Scammers hide behind fake identities. Hozuko helps by offering owners verification via:

  • ✅ Singpass: for individuals who verify using Singapore’s National Digital Identity platform.
  • ✅ Business affiliation check*: for representatives or employees of Singapore-registered businesses.
  • ✅ Property Agent check**: for agents with an active registration in Singapore (employed by a licensed estate agency).

Verified listings are marked so renters can spot safer options quickly. Verification is optional now, but we may require it in the future.

*We check that the business exists in ACRA’s register and that the contact appears authorised to represent it. This check focuses on the business, not a full identity verification of the individual, although we may request additional identity verification in higher-risk cases.

**Verification reflects eligibility at the time of review and isn’t an endorsement or guarantee. Status can change; please exercise due diligence.

How do I tell if a listing is verified?

Look out for the indicators below.

Verified

Verified
Fantastic Coliving

Verified (Singpass)

Verified Agent

Business rep verified

Unverified

Not Verified

Not verified

Agent not verified

Business rep not verified


Note: “Verified” helps reduce risk, but it’s not 100% safe. Always stay alert.

📢 If You Suspect a Scam

  1. Stop all contact.
  2. Report it to Hozuko and the authorities.
  3. Keep all proof — messages, emails, payment receipts.

Your vigilance helps protect yourself and others in the community.

📞 Need Help?

If you have questions or need assistance, contact our support team. We’re committed to making rentals safer for everyone.