Informed Move
Menu
Contains AI-generated informationMore information

Scams aimed at newcomers

You will recognise the scams that most often catch new arrivals in Spain and know how to verify before paying.

Newcomers need a home, paperwork, furniture and often a car, and they need them fast. That rush, plus unfamiliar local habits, is what scammers aim at. This Topic covers the rental, paperwork, second-hand, street, doorstep, timeshare and older-resident scams that most often catch people new to…

8 articlesAbout 1 hour of readingPersonal safety and crime

Start with the first articleSee all 8 articles

Pick the article that fits your situation

  1. The scams new residents in Spain actually meet

    A map of the scams newcomers to Spain meet, in the order you settle in: before arrival, first days, housing, paperwork, purchases and daily life. It also shows which scams the police warn about most. Read it first, then go to the detailed pieces.

    5 min read

  2. Fake rental listings and deposit scams in Spain

    How fake rental listings and deposit scams work in Spain, the warning signs, and how to check the listing, the owner and the payment route before you pay. For anyone renting, especially people searching from abroad.

    8 min read

  3. Fake gestors, paid appointments and lookalike government websites

    How to avoid paying for appointments that are free, copycat government websites and unqualified helpers when you apply for an NIE or residence permit. For anyone arranging residence paperwork in Spain.

    7 min read

  4. Wallapop, Vinted and second-hand marketplace scams, including used cars

    How to spot the common scams on Spanish second-hand apps, what buyer protection covers and what it does not, and how to check and transfer a used car safely. For anyone buying or selling second-hand in Spain.

    7 min read

  5. Street scams in Spanish cities: trileros, bracelets and fake petitions

    The street scams Spanish police warn about most in big cities and tourist areas, and a simple response to each. For visitors and new residents who want to spot a trick before it works.

    5 min read

  6. Doorstep and cold-call energy and internet sales traps

    How to deal with door-to-door and phone sellers who say they are from your electricity, gas or internet company: check who they are, use your right to cancel, and undo a contract you were tricked into signing.

    6 min read

  7. Timeshare and property-purchase fraud aimed at foreigners

    How to protect yourself when buying off-plan, checking a property's title, or dealing with timeshare contracts and resale or exit firms in Spain. For foreigners who have been approached by a seller, developer or "exit" firm and want to know what is legal and what is a warning sign.

    8 min read

  8. Scams and fraud aimed at older residents and retirees

    The scams police report against older people in Spain, and the bank, phone, family and legal steps that cut the risk. For retirees living in Spain and for adult children helping a parent here.

    9 min read

About this topic

It is for anyone thinking about moving to Spain, planning the move or already settling in. After reading it, you will recognise the common scams and know how to check before you pay.

Start with "The scams new residents in Spain actually meet". It maps the scams by moment (arrival, housing, paperwork, purchases), so you can see which ones apply to you now. Then read the page that matches your next step, such as fake rental listings and deposit scams if you are about to book a home.

Key rules

  • Rental payments: Pay a rental deposit or first month only after a viewing and a signed written contract, by traceable bank transfer to an account in the landlord's name.
  • Cita previa cost: The cita previa appointment itself is free, and official fees are paid at a bank or online, never to a private intermediary to get an appointment.
  • Timeshare upfront fees: Resale and exit firms may not take any payment upfront, so a request for money before the sale or cancellation has happened is illegal.
  • Door-sale withdrawal: A contract signed at your door can be cancelled within 14 days without giving a reason, by written notice that leaves proof.
  • Reservation: Never pay a reservation to someone you have not verified.
  • Web addresses: Official Spanish government sites end in .gob.es.

Scams aimed at newcomers: the whole process, step by step

  • Check the listing and landlord before you send anything: before any payment, when you first find a flat

  • View the flat by live video or through a trusted person, and read the contract: before paying anything, especially if you are abroad

  • Pay the deposit and first month by traceable bank transfer to the landlord's account: only after a viewing and a signed written contract

  • Buying a used car: pay the transfer tax and fee, then register the change of owner: within 30 days of the purchase

  • Cancel a contract signed at your door by written notice that leaves proof: within 14 days

  • If a utility or phone contract was switched without your consent, complain in writing and escalate: as soon as you notice; telecom operators have one month to answer

  • Refuse any upfront payment from timeshare resale or exit firms: before any sale or cancellation has actually happened

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

The home and the lease

Payments and receipts

Other documents

Each article lists the other documents it asks for, where you need them.

Scams aimed at newcomers: questions that cross several articles

How can I check a flat is real if I am still abroad?

Ask for a live video tour, send a trusted person to visit, and request a nota simple to confirm who owns the flat. A nota simple is a short registry extract costing about 9 to 10 euros.

Which payment methods are warning signs for a deposit?

Cash, cryptocurrency, gift cards, Western Union-style transfers and Bizum are warning signs because they are almost impossible to recover. Pay only by traceable bank transfer to an account in the landlord's name, after signing. Fake rental listings and deposit scams in Spain covers the order of payment.

Can I cancel a contract I signed at my door?

Yes, you can cancel within 14 days without giving a reason, by written notice that leaves proof. The period can be longer if the seller did not explain your right. Read Doorstep and cold-call energy and internet sales traps for the steps.

Can a timeshare resale firm ask for money upfront?

No, resale and exit firms may not take any payment before the sale or cancellation has actually happened. If one asks, keep all documents and complain to your consumer office. Read Timeshare and property-purchase fraud aimed at foreigners next.

Explore places

Where you live changes the details. See how Spanish regions and cities compare on rent, jobs, weather, safety and healthcare.

Need certainty before you act?

For important relocation decisions, speak with a qualified human specialist.

Consult with a human specialist

For decisions that depend on your own circumstances, a qualified human professional should look at your case. Tell us what you need help with and we will reply by email.

Always verify important information with the relevant official authority or a qualified adviser before acting. This website uses large language models together with various public data sources, official government documents and other established sources. Due to the amount of data on this website, some information might be wrong. Information may also be incomplete or outdated.

What matters to me

Tell us who you are and what you care about. Fit scores and rankings across the site follow your answers.