Is a new landlord or letting agent asking me to change which bank account I pay rent into a scam?
Treat this with great caution. Bank account change requests in rental relationships are a common entry point for payment diversion fraud.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Payment diversion fraud in rental relationships typically occurs in two ways. First, a scammer intercepts email communication between a tenant and a letting agency and sends a convincing fake message claiming the payment account has changed. Second, a fraudster takes over a letting agent's email account and notifies tenants of a change. In both cases, rent is diverted to a criminal's account and the tenant remains liable to the real landlord for non-payment. Before changing any bank account payment details, call your landlord or letting agent on a telephone number you already have on file — not one provided in the change-of-details email — and verbally confirm the request.
Common red flags
- Unexpected email asking you to change the rent payment bank account
- Slight difference in the email address from previous correspondence
- Urgency — next payment is due soon and the old account is 'closing'
- Request arrived without any previous warning or discussion
- New bank account is in a different name from the landlord or agency
What to do now
- Call your landlord or agent on a number you already hold to verify the change
- Do not pay to the new account until you have confirmed verbally
- Check the email address carefully against previous genuine communications
- Report suspected email interception to the letting agent and Action Fraud
Frequently asked questions
If I pay rent to a fraudulent account by mistake, am I still liable to the real landlord?
Legally yes, though landlords and courts consider the circumstances. Stopping further misdirected payments immediately and reporting to the police is essential.