I paid money for a flat and it was a scam. What can I do?Beta*

Call your bank straight away on the number on the back of your card. Banks can sometimes stop or reverse a payment if you act quickly, and many refund victims of authorised push payment scams. Then report it to the police's national fraud reporting service and to the website where the advert appeared. To avoid it next time: never pay anything before you have viewed the property in person and met the landlord or agent; be suspicious of a landlord who is "abroad" and will post the keys; and check who owns the property through a free Companies House search or by asking for proof. Rent well below the going rate is a common warning sign.

On this site: Advert photo check · Before you rent

Sources: Citizens Advice: rental scams