← My Agumba
Learn the scams that target newcomers
Fifteen minutes that protects your money and your status.
About 15 minutes
Where this comes from
- Source
- Action Fraud / GOV.UK
- Applies to
- UK-wide (Police Scotland handles reports in Scotland)
- Last checked
- 12 September 2026
- Next review
- 12 October 2026
- Rule status
- Current guidance
- Risk
- Higher risk if you get this wrong
Why this applies to you: You are new here and dealing with unfamiliar landlords, employers and services.
Why this next?
Newcomers are actively targeted with fake job offers, visa fees and rental deposits.
What it unlocks: Confidence when dealing with strangers online.
How to do it
- Learn the three most common newcomer scams.
- Before paying towards a property, ask which payment it is — holding deposit, tenancy deposit or rent in advance — and check that rule.
- Verify anything urgent against an official source.
Official sources
Always confirm details on the official source. Agumba is not legal or immigration advice.
Record completion
Something is blocking me
Something to help you finish this
FreechecklistAbout 15 minutes
UK Renting Safety Checklist
Tell a legitimate letting process apart from a high-risk payment request, starting with what payment you are being asked to make.
What you end up with: A decision on whether a payment request is normal, and what to check before paying.