5 Signs Your Agent Might Not Be Legitimate (And How to Protect Yourself)
· GetVerified
Finding an apartment in Lagos is hard enough. Here are five warning signs of fake agents — and a more reliable way to get matched.
Finding an apartment in Lagos takes enough effort without also having to worry about who you're dealing with. Unfortunately, fake agents are common enough that it's worth knowing the warning signs before you commit any money or time.
Here are five patterns worth watching for.
1. They ask for money before you've seen the property
A legitimate agent will show you the apartment before any payment is discussed. If someone asks for an inspection fee upfront, before you've even viewed the place, treat that as a signal to slow down and verify who you're speaking with.
2. They avoid confirming their identity
Ask for ID, their agency name, or a past client you can speak with. A genuine agent will provide this without hesitation. Reluctance or evasiveness here is worth taking seriously.
3. They create unnecessary urgency
Phrases like "this won't be available much longer" are sometimes true, but when it happens with every single listing, it's often a pressure tactic rather than a real time constraint.
4. They avoid calls or in-person contact
If communication stays limited to text messages and there's resistance to a call or meeting before payment, that's a pattern worth noting.
5. There's no way to verify their track record
No searchable agency name, no reviews, and no way to confirm previous clients are all signs of limited accountability.
A more reliable way to search
This is the problem GetVerified was built to solve. Every agent on the platform is background-checked before working with clients, and you're matched with one within 2 hours — reducing the guesswork involved in finding someone trustworthy.
Ready to get started? Tap here to get matched with a verified agent.