How to recognise housing and job scams

Looking for housing and work is exactly where scammers turn up most often, taking advantage of the fact that a person in a new country is in a hurry. A few rules that help.

Housing:

• never transfer a deposit or a “reservation” fee before you have seen the place in person and signed a contract;
• be wary if the price is noticeably below the market rate and the “owner” is supposedly abroad and cannot show you the flat;
• do not pay via Western Union, cryptocurrency or gift cards — this is almost always a sign of fraud;
• do not send passport scans or bank details to strangers.

Work:

• job placement services for jobseekers in Germany are free — if you are asked for money “for finding you a job”, this is a violation of the law;
• do not pay an unknown person in advance for “paperwork”, “training” or a “visa”;
• check the employer: real name, address, official website.

If in doubt — better to stop and check. You can report suspicious listings on Свої to us using the “Report” button.