×

No fraudulent ads on dreamo.ch!

Looking for accommodation can be stressful, and scammers take advantage of this. Good news: on dreamo.ch, you'll find only safe ads, published exclusively by professionals registered with the commercial register. But elsewhere, real estate scams are multiplying, with ever more sophisticated methods. How can you spot them and avoid falling into the trap?


The most common real estate scams

Scammers use a variety of tactics to trap people looking for accommodation. Here are the most common:
  • Fake ad: the scammer advertises a property that doesn't exist or that he doesn't own, with a price that's too attractive
  • Ad Hijacking: a genuine ad is copied, but with modified contact details to divert inquiries
  • Advance payment: a deposit is requested before any visit, often under the pretext of high demand
  • Overseas” landlords: offer to send keys by post in exchange for payment
  • Falsified contracts: incomplete or legally non-binding leases are used to trap tenants
  • Suspicious payment requests: payment in cryptocurrency or via untraceable means
  • Identity theft: forms requesting sensitive data (bank details, AVS number) are used fraudulently


How to avoid scams?

  • Always check the offer: beware of low prices and compare with similar ads
  • Never pay before you visit: a serious owner will never ask you for money before you've seen the property
  • Use secure payment methods: avoid payments in cash, via Western Union or in cryptocurrency
  • Read the lease carefully: check that all important clauses are included
  • Check the identity of the landlord: a legitimate landlord can be verified in the land register
  • Beware of warning signs: exchanges full of mistakes, poor-quality photos, lack of professionalism...


What to do if you fall victim to a scam?

If you have paid money or sent sensitive documents, here are the steps to follow:
  1. Immediately stop all communication with the scammer
  2. Inform the platform where the ad was posted so that it can be removed
  3. File a complaint with the cantonal criminal prosecution authorities
  4. If you have sent a copy of your identity document, report this to your local identity card or passport issuing office


Search for accommodation safely on dreamo.ch

On dreamo.ch, you can search for a property with complete peace of mind. All ads are published by certified agencies, guaranteeing authentic and secure offers.

Don't take any risks, use dreamo.ch for your property search!


Sources
admin.ch - Article
rts.ch - Article
watson.ch - Article