The most common winter rental scam in the Canary Islands is a fake listing for an attractive apartment at a good price, where the “owner” asks for a deposit by bank or money transfer and then disappears. You can avoid almost all scams by verifying the owner, seeing the apartment live and paying only through protected or traceable methods.
Common scams
- Copied listings: real photos stolen from another site, posted with a lower price.
- The absent owner: “I live abroad, send the deposit and I will post you the keys.”
- Pressure to pay now: “Three other people want it, pay today to secure it.”
- Off-platform payment: an owner who contacts you on a platform but asks you to pay outside it.
- Fake agencies: professional-looking websites with no physical office or registration.
Red flags
- The price is well below similar apartments.
- The owner refuses a live video call.
- Payment by money transfer, cryptocurrency or gift cards.
- Spelling and contact details that do not match.
- No address until you pay.
How to protect yourself
- Run a reverse image search on the photos.
- Ask for a live video call walking through the apartment and outside the building.
- Check that the listing shows a rental registration number where required.
- Use platforms with payment protection, or pay agencies with an office you can visit.
- Pay by card where possible, and keep every receipt.
- Ask in local long-stayer groups whether anyone knows the owner or agency.
If you have been scammed
Report it to the Policía Nacional or Guardia Civil, to the platform and to your bank immediately. Banks can sometimes stop or recover card payments.
Our verdict
If it feels too good to be true, it usually is. More on safe searching in How to Find a Monthly Rental in Tenerife.