GOVERNANCE
Protection against fraud
We take safeguarding against fraud seriously.
If you're buying, selling, renting or letting a property, you're likely dealing with large sums of money, which can make you a target.
We’ll help arm you with information to prevent theft of personal details and money through fraudulent interactions. We want to make sure our customers are as secure as they can be. If you’re concerned you might be subject to fraud, contact us.
The most common fraud tactic: social engineering
Social engineering is a fraud technique that persuades people to divulge personal information or covertly gain information that can be used to access confidential details beneficial to the fraudster.
Social engineering can be used by email (phishing), telephone (vishing), text (smishing), or in person. Fraudsters often pretend to be someone with the authority to know the information they’re trying to find out, which can lull you into a false sense of security.
Fake payment requests and bank detail changes
Fraudsters often pretend to be a client, supplier, solicitor or someone from Knight Frank. They'll ask you to send money to a different bank account.
Warning signs
- An email asking you to change the bank details for a payment
- Someone claiming to be a senior person and asking for an urgent payment
- A link that takes you to a sign-in page you don't recognise
- A call apparently from your bank, asking for account verification information
How to stay safe
- Always check the email address thoroughly – if the email address doesn’t match the name or the domain sounds strange, it’s likely to be a phishing scam.
- Employ your sleuth skills – check the writing style, language, grammar, and punctuation. If an email seems out of character, speak to the sender in person.
- Only make payments using bank account details on file.
- Never update bank account details for a recipient without checking with them verbally. Call them back on a number you have on record for them.
- Ensure payment approval processes are in place. The person raising the payment shouldn’t authorise the payment too.
- If anything feels even slightly off, don't make the payment.
Watch out for these specific types of fraud
Scammers use social media to trick people into handing over money or personal details. They may set up fake profiles, adverts or competitions, or pretend to be us or someone you know.
Warning signs
- Unfamiliar accounts, adverts or messages claiming to be a company or someone you know
- Messages from strangers asking for money or personal details
- Property deals that seem too good to be true
- Pressure to act quickly
- A friend or family member suddenly asking you for money
- Links that take you to a website you don't recognise
How to stay safe
- Pause before you click a link or reply to an unexpected message.
- Check the web address is going where it claims to be going.
- If someone you know asks for money, contact them another way to check it's really them.
- Don't share personal or financial details with people you don't know.
- Report suspicious accounts, adverts or messages to the social media platform.
Fraudsters sometimes post fake adverts that look like they're from Knight Frank. They copy photos and details from real listings, then offer a property that seems like a bargain. They're hoping you'll pay a deposit or hand over your personal details.
Warning signs
- A deal that seems too good to be true
- Being asked to pay before you've seen the property
- Excuses for why you can't visit in person
- Poor-quality adverts or details that don't add up
- Pressure to hurry, so you don't have time to ask questions
How to stay safe
- Check the property details with your Knight Frank contact before you pay anything
- Stick to trusted property websites
- Be cautious if a deal looks too good to be true
- Don't let anyone rush you
Scammers sometimes pose as recruiters or advertise fake jobs using the Knight Frank name. They may ask for your personal details or ask you to pay a fee to apply.
Warning signs
- Being asked to pay money as part of the application
- Interviews that only happen by text or messaging apps
- Job offers that come out of the blue and seem too good to be true
- Requests for ID or personal details very early on
- Recruiters who use personal email addresses or won't say who they are
How to stay safe
- Check job opportunities on our official careers page
- Make sure a recruiter is genuine before you share anything
- Never pay money to apply for a job
Fraudsters use artificial intelligence (AI) to create fake voices, videos and messages that can seem very real. They might even copy someone you know, including a Knight Frank contact. They want you to panic and act without thinking.
Warning signs
- Urgent requests for money or information
- Someone pressuring you or playing on your emotions
- Being asked to keep it secret
- A message or call that doesn't sound like the person
How to stay safe
- Check any unexpected request another way, such as by phone
- Use contact details you already know and trust
- Be wary of anyone who says you must act now
In a Ponzi scheme, people who invest early are paid with money from newer investors, rather than from real profits. These are often sold as exclusive opportunities, sometimes involving property, with promises of big or guaranteed returns. They can look genuine at first, but they don't last, and people can lose a lot of money.
Warning signs
- Promises of high returns with little or no risk
- Pressure to invest quickly or keep it quiet
- Vague or confusing explanations of how the money is made
- Little information about the investment, the company or the people behind it
How to stay safe
- Be wary of property investments that promise very high or guaranteed returns
- Do your own research first
- Take your time and don't let anyone rush you
- Get independent financial or legal advice before you invest
- If something doesn't feel right, walk away
How we help to protect you
- We protect any personal and financial data you share with us.
- We protect documents that could be useful to fraudsters, like copies of bank statements and passports.
- If we don’t need it, we don’t record it. For example, we don’t store credit card numbers.
- We agree on ways of checking identity with you, and we confirm our identity prior to discussing sensitive information.
Think you've been targeted?
- Someone claiming to be Knight Frank? Get in touch with your Knight Frank contact directly.
- Lost money? Tell your bank straight away, using a number you trust, or call 159. Report it at reportfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call 101.
- Suspicious email? Forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk.
- Suspicious text? Forward it to 7726.
Remember: if something doesn't feel right, don't rush. Stop, check it's genuine, and then decide what to do. It’s better to be overly suspicious than careless. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
