Price anomalies
Rent compared with local reference prices down to parish level, flagging listings far below market.
Free rental fraud detection
Rental Scam Checker for Portugal
Verify a rental listing before you pay. Analyse listings, landlord conversations, screenshots and property URLs, and get an instant rental scam risk assessment — free, private and with no login.
How It Works
Rental listing verification in four steps — choose whichever evidence you have.
1. Upload Screenshot
Add screenshots of the listing or chat from Facebook Marketplace, WhatsApp or any portal.
2. Paste Conversation
Paste the landlord's messages or the listing text, in Portuguese or English.
3. Submit Property URL
Paste a link from a supported Portuguese property website for automatic import.
4. Receive AI Risk Assessment
Get a 0–100 risk score with each red flag explained and clear next steps.
Verify a rental listing now
Pick the evidence you have and run a free check.
What We Analyse
Our rental fraud checker looks for the warning signs most often seen in rental scams in Portugal.
Landlord behaviour
Refusing viewings, claiming to live abroad or avoiding identity checks.
WhatsApp scams
Pressure to move to WhatsApp-only contact and scripted messages used by fraudsters.
Facebook Marketplace scams
Marketplace-specific patterns such as new profiles and copied photos.
Suspicious payment requests
Deposits before visits, Western Union, crypto and other untraceable transfers.
Missing landlord verification
No proof of ownership, early requests for your documents or no contract.
Found a flat on Marketplace? Read our guide to avoiding a Facebook Marketplace rental scam.
Common Scam Examples
Fake Overseas Landlord
"I'm working abroad, so I can't show you the flat — send the deposit and I'll post the keys." A classic pattern: the owner is never available and keys arrive "by courier".
Deposit Before Viewing
You're asked for one or two months' rent to "reserve" the property before you've seen it. Legitimate landlords let you visit first.
Property Below Market Value
A T2 in central Lisbon for half the usual rent is designed to make you act fast without checking. Compare against local prices.
Urgency and Pressure Tactics
"Many people are interested, pay today or lose it." Artificial deadlines are meant to stop you verifying the landlord.
See all 10 warning signs of rental scams in Portugal or learn how to avoid rental scams in Lisbon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a rental scam checker?
A rental scam checker reviews a listing or landlord conversation for known fraud patterns — such as payment before viewing, an overseas landlord or a price far below market — and gives you a risk score before you send any money.
Is RentScamLens free to use?
Yes. RentScamLens is free, needs no account and works directly in your browser.
How do I spot a Facebook Marketplace rental scam?
Common signs of a Facebook Marketplace rental scam are a brand-new seller profile, a price far below the area average, refusal to show the property and requests to pay a deposit by transfer before any viewing. Upload screenshots of the ad and chat to check them.
Which property websites can I check?
You can paste listing URLs from supported Portuguese portals such as Idealista, Imovirtual, Casa Sapo and OLX, and upload screenshots from Facebook Marketplace, WhatsApp or any other source.
Does the checker work in Portuguese and English?
Yes. The analysis recognises scam phrases in both Portuguese and English, so you can paste messages exactly as you received them.
Can a low risk score guarantee a listing is safe?
No. The score highlights warning signs, but you should always visit the property, verify the landlord's identity and never pay before signing a contract.
Rental Scam Guides for Portugal
Rental Scams in Portugal: 10 Warning Signs
The red flags every tenant should know before paying a deposit.
How to Avoid Rental Scams in Lisbon
Practical steps to verify a rental listing in Lisbon's busy market.
Facebook Marketplace Rental Scams
How to protect yourself when renting through Marketplace.
OLX Rental Scams in Portugal
How to spot a fake OLX listing and check an OLX link before paying.
Know Before You Pay
Run a free rental scam check in seconds before sending any deposit.