Flatmate wanted scams

Scammers posing as wannabe flatmates might reach out through your flatmates wanted listing. Learn what to look out for.

Scammers use flatmate wanted listings to get people to transfer stolen money around the globe. If this happens to you, you could be out of pocket.

How the flatmate wanted scam works

An existing flatmate creates a flatmates wanted listing on Trade Me.
The scammer says they're interested in the room.
The scammer makes an excuse about why they can’t come to a viewing in person. They offer to pay the bond immediately without seeing the room.
They pay quickly, but it's too much. This payment is often made with stolen credit cards or a compromised bank account.
The scammer asks the existing flatmate to repay the overpayment via Western Union, PayPal, Moneygram, or another overseas payment service instead of back to the account it came from. This is how the scammer gets you to move their stolen money for them.
The bank realises the original payment was dodgy and reverses it from the existing flatmate's account.
But it’s too late, the existing flatmate already made the second payment and is now left out of pocket.

If you're looking for a flatmate, watch out for these red flags:

Someone wants to pay the bond without seeing the place. They might make an excuse for why they can't come to a viewing, like being overseas for medical school or home for the summer break.
Someone pays more than the bond and wants you to send the money back to a different account.
Someone asks you to use an overseas money transfer service (like Western Union, PayPal, or MoneyGram) instead of a regular New Zealand bank transfer.

Always meet potential flatmates in person. After all, you'll be living with them!
Never send money using overseas payment services like Western Union, PayPal, or MoneyGram.
If someone overpays you, talk to your bank before you send any money back.
Don't give anyone personal documents (like tenancy agreements) until you've met them.

If you find a listing that looks like a scam, report it through Community Watch.

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