Facebook groups are full of Erasmus housing posts, but unfortunately, they are also full of scammers. If you’re an Erasmus student looking for accommodation in Greece, you need to be extra cautious when browsing Facebook.
Here’s how to identify scams and stay safe.
Why Facebook scams are so common
- Anyone can join a housing group and post fake ads.
- Scammers use stolen photos from Airbnb or real listings.
- Students are eager to book quickly and often don’t double-check.
The result? Students lose hundreds of euros before they even arrive in Greece.
Red flags in Facebook profiles 🚩
Before trusting anyone on Facebook, check their profile carefully:
- Newly created account (e.g., made in the past weeks) → big red flag.
- Few friends or no local friends in Greece.
- Strange location (e.g., they claim to rent in Athens but their profile says they live somewhere very far away).
- Spammy activity: joining many Erasmus housing groups in different countries. If someone posts in “Erasmus Housing Athens,” “Erasmus Housing Rome,” and “Erasmus Housing Paris,” they’re almost certainly a scammer.
Red flags in the housing ad 🕵️♂️
- Too cheap: a luxury 2-bedroom apartment in Athens for 450/month is fake.
- Copy-pasted descriptions: scammers often reuse the same text.
- Pressure to pay fast: “Send the money today or I’ll give it to someone else.”
- No physical viewing: they refuse to show the apartment in person or on a video call.
How to protect yourself
Here are some practical steps to avoid being tricked on Facebook:
✅ Check the poster’s profile
Look at their friends list, location, and account creation date.
✅ Search for the photos online
Use Google Reverse Image Search. If the same photos appear on Airbnb or in other countries, it’s probably a scam.
✅ Don’t send money via Western Union or bank transfer
Scammers love untraceable methods. Use secure payment platforms only.
✅ Prefer verified platforms
Instead of gambling with random Facebook posts, book through a trusted platform like Nostus.com. Every host is verified, and your payment is only released once you confirm the apartment is real.
Stay safe, start smart ✨
Facebook can be useful for finding Erasmus housing, but scams are everywhere. Always double-check, never rush into payments, and use secure booking systems when possible.
👉 Ready for a safer option? Find verified Erasmus rentals in Athens and Thessaloniki on Nostus.com.
