Scams that catch newcomers and how to check before paying

Terms used

• NIE — The NIE is the identity number for foreigners that you need for tax, work and contracts.
• Nota simple — The nota simple is a short extract from the property registry showing who owns a property.
• Tasa — The tasa is the official government fee for a procedure, such as an immigration application.
• Denuncia — A denuncia is a formal police report of a crime.
• OMIC — The OMIC is the municipal consumer office, where you can file consumer complaints.

Key rules

• Before paying: Never pay a deposit or reservation fee before seeing the property and signing a contract.
• Links in texts: Do not click payment links in texts about fines or parcels; go to the official website.
• Bank calls: If someone says they are your bank, hang up and call the number on your card.
• Immigration fees: Official immigration procedures cost only the official tasa, paid at a bank.
• Report fraud: Call 091 or 062 to report fraud, or 017 for online and phone fraud.

The one rule that stops most scams

Do not pay anything until you have checked who is asking and why. Real landlords, banks and officials do not mind you taking a day to verify. Scammers need you to rush.

The scams to know

Fake rental listings. The "owner" is abroad, the price is low, and you must pay a deposit or reservation fee before a viewing or contract. See the property in person and sign a contract first. Then ask for a nota simple and compare the owner's name with the landlord's photo ID.

Fake officials and agents. Someone claiming to be police, the tax agency, the traffic authority or Social Security phones, texts or emails and demands payment. Do not pay. Contact the real office yourself, using details from its official website.

Fake fines and parcel fees. A text says you have an unpaid fine or a parcel waiting, with a payment link. Do not click. Check fines on the official website of the traffic authority or your town hall, or in person.

Bank phishing and spoofed calls. A caller says they are from your bank, and the number may even look genuine. Hang up. Call the bank back on the number on your card or in its official app.

Energy sellers. People who phone or knock on your door can switch your contract without clear consent. Never sign on the spot. Call your current supplier to check the offer.

Fake immigration and NIE "fast-track" services. Only the government's official appointment system books these appointments. The only fee is the official tasa, paid at a bank with form 790. Anyone charging extra for a "guaranteed" slot is not offering something official.

Overpriced cars and goods online. Be suspicious of sellers who want payment before you see the item, or who ask for transfers to a personal account. Inspect in person and get a written receipt or contract.

If you have been scammed

• Report fraud to the Policía Nacional on 091 or the Guardia Civil on 062. You can also file an online denuncia.
• Call 017, the national helpline for online and phone fraud.
• Call 112 if you are in danger.
• Contact your bank straight away if you gave card or account details.
• For consumer complaints, use your town hall's consumer office (OMIC) or your region's consumer body. For legal problems, contact a lawyer or your embassy.

The documents list, checklist and warnings below cover the details step by step.

Documents you need

• A nota simple, a short extract from the Registro de la Propiedad (the property registry) that shows who owns the home. Request it from the registry before you pay any deposit.

• The landlord's photo ID, so you can check that the name matches the owner on the nota simple.

• A written rental contract, signed by both sides, before you pay any deposit or reservation fee.

• The bank receipt for form 790, the official fee (tasa) for an immigration procedure. It is paid at a bank, and the official fee is the only amount you should pay.

Checklist

• Ask the Registro de la Propiedad for a nota simple and check that the owner's name matches the landlord's ID.

• Skip the links in text messages about fines, parcels or fees, and go straight to the official website of the traffic authority or your town hall, or ask in person.

• Hang up on any caller who says they are from your bank, and call the bank back on the number on your card or its official website.

• Book immigration and NIE appointments only through the government's official appointment system, and pay only the official fee on form 790 at a bank.

• Call your current energy supplier to check an energy company that phones you or knocks on your door, and do not sign anything on the spot.

• Report fraud to the Policía Nacional on 091 or the Guardia Civil on 062, or file an online denuncia (a formal police report).

• Take consumer complaints to your town hall's consumer office (OMIC), your regional consumer body or the national consumer ministry, and consider a consumer group such as OCU.

What to watch out for

• Fake rental listings: Scammers advertise homes that do not exist or are not theirs. They ask for a deposit or reservation fee before a viewing, often saying the owner is abroad. The money is usually lost. Do not pay until you have seen the home and signed a contract.

• Fake officials and agents: Callers, texts or emails pretend to be the police, the tax agency, the traffic authority or Social Security and demand payment. Do not pay or reply. Contact the office yourself through its official channels.

• Fake fines and parcel fees: Texts claim you owe a traffic or parking fine or a parcel delivery fee, and send a payment link. The link steals your card details. Do not tap the link. Check the fine on the official site or in person.

• Bank phishing and spoofed calls: Fraudsters phone you using a number that looks like your bank's and push you to move money or share codes.

• Energy sellers who switch your contract: Door-to-door sellers or callers may change your energy contract without your clear consent. Do not sign or give your details on the spot. Ask your current supplier first.

• Fake immigration and NIE fast-track services: Intermediaries promise a faster appointment or NIE for a high fee. The official route charges only the official fee.

• Overpriced cars and goods online: Online sellers charge well above the going price for cars and other goods, often asking for payment upfront. Compare prices, inspect the item before paying, and avoid paying in advance.