WA Rental Scam Losses Near $28K in 2025
Scammers posing as WA Consumer Protection have been increasingly targeting renters with fake bond emails and official branding, tricking them into upfront payments for fake properties.
The WA ScamNet team has warned consumers that rental scammers are impersonating the state’s Consumer Protection using fake bond emails and trademarks, tricking tenants into upfront payments for non-existent properties.
WA ScamNet has seen a rise in rental scam reports, with scammers sending fake bond confirmation emails using stolen government branding to trick victims. In 2025 alone, 12 renters have lost $27,875 – already nearing last year’s total losses.
The state scam watchdog said rental scam reports have increased in 2025, receiving so far 35 reports and 12 victims, totalling a monetary loss of $27,875.
WA ScamNet said the numbers are set to rise, likely surpassing the 45 reports, 16 victims, and $39,935 in losses recorded in all of 2024.
The state’s consumer protection agency said that fraudsters have recently been tricking tenants by sending fake bond confirmation emails after upfront payments for non-existent rentals, using official-looking messages that mimic the Bonds Administration.
Recently, the WA ScamNet said a man whose English wasn’t his first language was scammed after meeting a fake landlord who claimed the rental couldn’t be inspected due to current tenants.
The man then lost $2,400 trying to secure the property after he received a fake bond lodgement email, which also demanded to pay upfront rent.
WA commissioner for consumer protection, Trish Blake, said before paying any bond, consumers should double-check the email address, as it is the biggest giveaway for scammers.
“While scammers can replicate many things, they can’t make their email addresses originate from the state government,” Blake said.
“Hover over the sender’s email address. If it doesn’t end with wa.gov.au, then that’s a very clear sign any correspondence claiming to be from Consumer Protection’s Bonds Administration team is fake.”
According to the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, in the first four months of 2025, nearly $120 million in scam-related losses were reported nationwide.
Data showed that phishing scams, where fraudsters impersonate government agencies or financial institutions, caused the largest rise in reported losses in 2025, totalling $13.7 million compared to $4.6 million in early 2024.
With the rise of scammers, Blake said prospective tenants must understand the tactics used by rental fraudsters before making any upfront payments.
To avoid rental scams, Consumer Protection WA said renters should be wary of unusually low prices, verify listings through image and address searches, and always inspect the property in person or deal with a licensed agent.
Additionally, the watchdog warns consumers never to transfer funds without confirming legitimacy and to ensure they receive keys and a signed lease before making any payments.
“Online marketplaces and social media platforms are the primary hunting grounds for rental scammers, who use fake property listings and respond to ‘rental wanted’ ads to find victims.”
“To outsmart rental scammers, always insist on an inside inspection before parting with any money and be wary of ‘too good to be true’ rent prices as that’s a common tactic to lure more victims,” Blake concluded.
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