I paid a deposit for a flat that does not exist — who do I contact?
The pattern is always the same: the "owner" is abroad, the keys come after a deposit, and the address turns out to be someone else's home. Call Citizens Advice consumer helpline (0808 223 1133) first to recall the transfer — the first hours count — then report to Police — 101 / report online (999 in an emergency) (101) with the listing, the chat and the account number; the same accounts appear in dozens of reports. Your bank — card and payment line logs the scam listing and can get it removed from the platform. Never pay before you have stood in the flat and seen the owner's ID matching the land registry or the lease.
🗣️ What to say
"On [date] I transferred [amount] to [account] as a deposit for a flat at [address] advertised on [platform] by [name]. The flat is not available / the person is not the owner. I want to report this as fraud and recall the payment; here are the listing, the messages and the account details."
🪜 Step by step
- Bank, nowRecall on a transfer, dispute on a card. Say the word fraud; the bank has a procedure for it.
- Save everythingListing screenshots (they disappear), the chat, the "contract", the ID they sent — usually stolen from another victim.
- Report to Police — 101 / report online (999 in an emergency)Online where possible. Case number for the bank and for the platform.
- Warn the platform and Your bank — card and payment lineThe listing gets removed and the account banned; the consumer body warns others.
- Before the next flatVisit in person, ask for ID and proof of ownership, sign before you pay, pay to an account in the owner's name — and be suspicious of any story about being abroad.
📇 All contacts
❓ Frequently asked
Will I get the deposit back?
Only if the bank catches the transfer before it is withdrawn, usually within a day. Report fast anyway — the accounts are money mules, and the police do freeze them.
They used a real agency's name
Tell the real agency; they are victims too and will confirm in writing that the person does not work for them, which helps your bank claim.
I sent a copy of my passport
Report identity misuse to Police — 101 / report online (999 in an emergency) as well and watch for accounts opened in your name; see the identity-theft page.
📎 Sources
- Police — 101 / report online (999 in an emergency) →
- Citizens Advice consumer helpline →
- Action Fraud (England, Wales, NI) / Police Scotland →
🔎 Common searches
Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.
- “rental scam deposit paid the UK”
- “fake apartment listing report”
- “flat scam money back”
- “rental fraud police the UK”
- “landlord abroad keys after deposit scam”
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