Finding a roommate should be an exciting and rewarding process, but staying safe while searching for a roommate online requires a three-step approach:
- Step 1: Vetting Potential Roommates Online
- Step 2: Avoiding Digital Fraud & Scams
- Step 3: Safely Meeting In-Person
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.)
Most roommate-related scams happen before a physical meeting ever takes place. As such, it's wise to be mindful of the possibility of online fraud throughout your search, and take important steps to avoid it:
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.
Once you’ve vetted a potential roommate online, follow these steps for a safe in-person introduction:
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.
If a user seems suspicious, is asking for money, or makes you feel unsafe:
- Block & Report: Use the Report button directly in their listing to report the user to Roommates Support, or use the Block button to prevent all additional contact.
- Contact Support: You can reach out to our Support Team at any time for assistance with a suspicious account.