Safety Tips

Step 1: Vetting Potential Roommates Online

• Stay in the Message Center: We recommend using our in-site Message Center for as long as possible. Scammers often try to move to email or text message immediately to bypass our security filters.
• Ask Detailed Questions about the potential roommate(s) and the living space beforehand. Inquiring about habits and living arrangements fosters transparency, helping you assess compatibility and potential concerns. 
• Verify via Video Call: Schedule a "virtual face-to-face" using FaceTime, Zoom, or Google Meet. If a user makes excuses as to why they can’t get on camera, it is a major red flag.
• Request a Virtual Tour: If they are listing a room, ask for a live video walkthrough. This ensures the space matches the profile photos and actually exists.
• Research the Potential Roommate: Before meeting, do a quick search online. Explore their social media presence and any available references you can locate. Understanding their background, interests, and habits can contribute to a more informed decision.
  • Roommates.com does not offer background check services, but you're free to look into third-party background checks or employment verifications.
• Research the Property (if you're looking to rent a room):
  • Use a reverse-image search to look for other listings using the same photos. If you locate identical listings, compare the rent/deposit rates to ensure they're the same, and make sure the contact information in each listing matches.
  • Search for listing text. Often times fraudulent listings steal listing text from other sources online (such as real estate websites, sale listings, etc.)

Step 2: Avoiding Digital Fraud & Scams

• Never Send Money Sight-Unseen: Do not wire money, send gift cards, or provide "holding deposits" until you have physically toured the property and met the person.
• Avoid Unrecoverable Payments: Be extremely cautious if a contact asks for money via wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. These payment methods are nearly impossible  or recover once sent.
  • Similarly, requests for application fees or security deposits via apps like Venmo or CashApp before you have physically toured the property are major red flags.
• Protect Your Personal Data: Avoid sharing your phone number, private email address, or financial information early on. Sharing these too soon can lead to identity theft or unwanted solicitations.
• Watch for Suspicious Text Formatting. In order to bypass our security features, scammers often format text unconventionally. For example, instead of sending a phone number as:

(555) 555-5555

a scammer may send a number as:

{5~5~5)____{5five~5}___[5*5~five and5)

• Trust Your Instincts: If a deal seems too good to be true (like a luxury apartment for a suspiciously low price), it probably is.

Step 3: Safely Meeting In-Person

• Meet in Public: Choose a high-traffic area like a coffee shop or library. Never have the first meeting at your home or theirs.
• The "Buddy System": Bring a friend or family member along. If you go alone, tell someone exactly where you are going, who you are meeting, and when you expect to be home.
• Ask Detailed Questions: Use the meeting to verify the details they provided online. Ask about their daily routine, pet habits, and guest expectations.
• Keep your phone charged and on your person at all times. This ensures you have a means of communication readily available, providing a quick and easy way to reach out for assistance if needed.
• Avoid bringing valuables, personal documents, or excessive cash. Prioritize your safety and minimize the risk of loss or theft by only bringing essentials.
• Trust Your Gut: If something feels "off" or too good to be true, it probably is. You are never obligated to move forward with a match.