Before you pay, see which warning signs the listing shows
Rental scams follow patterns that repeat from one city to the next. Paste the listing and the advertiser's messages, answer a few questions and you will see which warning signs appear and what to do about each one.
What we see
When you press ‘Check’, the warning signs we find, what we can't check and what to do will appear here.
We will never tell you a listing is safe. This tool can only tell you which warning signs it sees.
Where these warning signs come from
Each warning sign comes from alerts published by universities, city councils and the press in cities where scams targeting students have been documented. The ESN and ESU housing survey found that one in four people was scammed while looking for accommodation.
Sources: Erasmus Student Network y European Students' Union; The Irish Times; Ciudad de Gante; An Garda Síochána (policía de Irlanda); Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen; DUB, Universiteit Utrecht; An Garda Síochána (policía de Irlanda); Erasmus Magazine (Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam). Accessed between 22 October 2026 and 24 October 2026.
If you have been scammed, keep the messages and proof of payment, report it to the police, tell your bank and the platform where you saw the listing, and tell the international office at your destination and the ESN section so they can warn others.