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Protect yourself from scams and rent with confidence. Learn how to spot red flags, verify landlords, and make secure payments.
Rental scams are unfortunately common in the Philippines, especially on Facebook Marketplace where listings are unregulated and anyone can post without verification.
While Facebook Marketplace offers convenience and reach, it lacks proper verification systems, making it a breeding ground for scammers. Fake landlords use stolen photos, create convincing profiles, and pressure victims into sending deposits for properties they don't own.
As a student or young professional looking for housing in Baguio, you're particularly vulnerable to these scams. Scammers know you're often in urgent need of housing, have limited budgets, and may not be familiar with local rental practices.
This guide will teach you how to:
Remember: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your instincts and never rush into sending money without proper verification.
Real scam tactics used to steal deposits from unsuspecting renters
Critical Warning
Facebook Marketplace does NOT verify landlords, property ownership, or listings. Anyone can create a fake profile and post stolen photos. The scam examples below are based on real incidents reported by renters in Baguio and other Philippine cities.
Pattern Recognition
Notice the common thread in all these scams? They all involve:
Warning signs that indicate a potential scam or fraudulent listing
How to Use This Checklist:
If you encounter ANY HIGH RISK red flag, stop immediately and do not proceed. For medium/low risk flags, proceed with extreme caution and additional verification. Trust your instincts—if something feels wrong, walk away.
Asks for reservation fees, deposits, or any payment before you see the property in person.
Won't do video calls, refuses to meet, or always has excuses why they can't show the property.
Can't provide valid IDs, proof of ownership, tax declarations, or legitimate contracts.
Refuses to provide phone number, won't use other platforms, or communication seems scripted.
New account, no posts, no friends, generic profile photo, or recently created with minimal activity.
Won't provide exact address until payment, gives general area only, or address doesn't match photos.
Photos look too professional, don't match property description, or reverse image search shows multiple sources.
Insists on wire transfer, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or sends money to personal accounts with different names.
If you encounter ANY of these, stop all communication immediately:
Follow these steps at every phase of your rental search
Pro Tip
Print this checklist or save it on your phone. Go through each step methodically—skipping even one step could make you vulnerable to scams.
Do a reverse image search on property photos using Google Images
Check if the listing appears on multiple platforms with different contact info
Review the Facebook profile: account age, friends, posts, reviews
Compare the price with similar properties in the area - if it's 30%+ cheaper, investigate why
Screenshot the listing and save all information in case it gets deleted
Ask for a video tour via video call (not pre-recorded)
Request the exact property address and verify it on Google Maps
Ask for landlord's full name and valid government ID
Inquire about property ownership documents
Be wary of responses with poor grammar or generic answers
Never share personal financial information or send money at this stage
NEVER go alone - bring a friend or family member
Meet during daytime in the actual property location
Verify the person showing the property matches the ID provided
Take photos and videos of the property condition
Talk to neighbors to verify landlord identity and property reputation
Check water pressure, electricity, locks, and overall condition
Trust your instincts - if something feels off, walk away
Verify property ownership through tax declarations or land titles
Read the entire contract before signing - never sign blank or incomplete documents
Ensure receipts have landlord's name, signature, and TIN
Make payments only after signing a legitimate contract
Keep copies of all documents, receipts, and IDs
If the landlord is represented by someone else, get a notarized authorization letter
Scammers rely on you rushing the process. Legitimate landlords will understand and respect that you need time to verify everything. If someone pressures you to skip steps or ''act fast,'' that's a major red flag. Take your time, follow every step, and don't let anyone rush you into making a decision.
Essential questions to ask and what to inspect during viewings
Why Asking Questions Matters
A legitimate landlord will welcome your questions and provide clear, detailed answers. Scammers often give vague responses or become defensive. Use these questions to assess both the property AND the landlord's credibility.
How long has this property been available?
Why is the previous tenant leaving?
Are utilities included in the rent or separate?
What's the average monthly utility cost?
Is there a homeowner's association fee?
What appliances and furniture are included?
How long have you owned this property?
Do you manage the property yourself or through a company?
How many other properties do you manage?
Who handles maintenance and repairs?
What's your preferred communication method?
Can I see your valid ID and proof of ownership?
What's included in the rental contract?
How much is the security deposit and advance rent?
When is the deposit returned after moving out?
What's the minimum lease period?
Are there penalties for early termination?
Can I make minor modifications to the unit?
What are the grounds for contract termination?
What are the house rules?
Are guests allowed? Are there visiting hour restrictions?
Is there a curfew?
Are pets allowed?
Is smoking allowed?
How is trash disposal handled?
Is the area safe? Are there recent security incidents?
Are there CCTV cameras?
Who has keys to the unit?
Is there 24/7 security personnel?
What's the emergency contact procedure?
What documents to request and how to verify their authenticity
Why Documents Matter
A legitimate landlord will have no problem providing these documents. If someone refuses or makes excuses, that's a major red flag. Always verify documents BEFORE signing any contract or making any payment.
Passport, Driver's License, National ID, or any government-issued ID with photo and signature
Tax Declaration (Tax Dec), Certificate of Title, or Deed of Sale showing landlord owns the property
For landlords renting out multiple units commercially, verify legitimate business registration
Notarized letter if property is being shown by a representative, not the actual owner
Formal written contract with all terms, conditions, and signatures - NEVER sign blank contracts
Receipts should include landlord's name, signature, TIN (Tax Identification Number), date, and purpose of payment
OFFICIAL RECEIPT
Receipt No: ________________
Received from: [Your Name]
Amount: ₱ ________________
Purpose: Security Deposit / Advance Rent / Monthly Rent
Property Address: ________________
Date: ________________
Landlord Name: ________________
TIN: ________________
Signature: ________________
Keep all original receipts in a safe place. They're essential for tax purposes and resolving disputes.
How to protect your money and avoid payment scams
Golden Rule of Rental Payments
NEVER, EVER send money before you: (1) View the property in person, (2) Verify the landlord's identity and ownership, (3) Sign a legitimate rental contract. No exceptions. A legitimate landlord will never ask for money before these steps.
Reservation fees before seeing the property are a major red flag. Legitimate landlords don't request upfront payments.
DO THIS
View the property first, verify ownership, then discuss payment terms
DON'T DO THIS
Send 'reservation fees' via GCash/bank transfer to hold the unit sight unseen
Every payment must have a proper receipt with landlord details and TIN for legal protection.
DO THIS
Request receipts with landlord's full name, signature, TIN, amount, purpose, and date
DON'T DO THIS
Accept handwritten notes, screenshots of transfers, or no receipt at all
Traceable payment methods protect both parties and provide proof of transaction.
DO THIS
Bank deposits, checks, or official payment platforms with landlord's verified account
DON'T DO THIS
Cash handovers without receipts, cryptocurrency, or gift cards
The name on the payment account should match the landlord's ID and ownership documents.
DO THIS
Confirm account name matches landlord ID before transferring money
DON'T DO THIS
Send money to accounts with different names, relatives, or 'property managers' without verification
Standard Payment Structure:
Example Calculation:
Monthly Rent: ₱8,000
Security Deposit (2 months): ₱16,000
Advance Rent (1 month): ₱8,000
Total Move-in Cost: ₱24,000
Note: Any amount requested beyond these standard terms should be clearly explained and justified by the landlord. Be suspicious of unusual fees or ''processing charges.''
Built-in protections to help you rent with confidence
Unlike Facebook Marketplace, where anyone can post anything without verification, BeeRook was built specifically for student housing with safety as the top priority.
Here's how we protect you from the scams and red flags described in this guide:
All landlords on BeeRook must submit valid government IDs and proof of property ownership before listing.
Chat directly within BeeRook without exposing personal contact info until you're ready. No need for Facebook Messenger.
Each listing undergoes review to ensure photos match the description and address is legitimate.
Easily report suspicious listings or users. Our team investigates and removes fraudulent content within 24 hours.
See landlord response rates, verification status, and total listings to make informed decisions.
Unlike Facebook Marketplace where anyone can post anything, BeeRook requires identity verification for all users.
| Feature | Facebook Marketplace | BeeRook |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord Verification | ✕ None | ✓ ID + Ownership Proof |
| Property Verification | ✕ Anyone can post stolen photos | ✓ Photos & address verified |
| Report System | ~ Slow, often ignored | ✓ 24-hour response time |
| Messaging | ✕ Messenger only, exposes contact | ✓ In-platform, private & secure |
| Landlord Transparency | ✕ No ratings or history | ✓ Response rates & verification status |
| Anonymous Listings | ✓ Scammers can hide | ✕ All users verified |
Browse verified properties from verified landlords. No more worrying about scams, fake listings, or stolen photos. Your safety is our priority.