Fraud Prevention & Safe Dealing

Safety Guidelines

Practical advice to protect your funds, verify real estate ownership, and deal securely when buying, renting, or finding roommates in Pakistan.

Last reviewed: October 2026

The #1 Rule: Never Send Advance Token Online

Never transfer token money, bayana, or security deposits via Easypaisa, JazzCash, or online banking before you have physically walked through the property and personally checked the original title documents.

1Guidelines for Buyers & Renters

Always conduct direct due diligence before committing any funds to a transaction.

What You Should Do

  • • Visit in Daylight: Schedule property visits during daytime hours and bring a family member or trusted acquaintance.
  • • Verify Original Title Deeds: Check the original Registry, Fard Malkiyat, or Housing Society Allotment letter (CDA, LDA, DHA, RDA, KDA) matching the seller's CNIC.
  • • Pay Traceably: Issue payments via crossed bank cheques or pay orders with signed, witnessed receipts. Avoid cash handovers.
  • • Inspect Utility Bills: Check electricity, gas, and water bills for outstanding dues or meter disputes.

Red Flags to Avoid

  • • Artificial Urgency: Claims like "another buyer is paying now, send 20,000 PKR token right now to hold it."
  • • Unrealistically Low Prices: Luxury properties listed at half market value are usually bait-and-switch or fake listings.
  • • Refusal to Meet: Sellers who refuse to meet in person or claim they are "out of city/country" and request wire transfer.
  • • Unregistered Agents: Agents unwilling to provide office addresses or verifiable credentials.

2Guidelines for Sellers & Landlords

Ensure fair listings and protect your home during physical viewings.

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Verify Prospective Visitors: When showing an occupied residential home, ask for visitor identification and avoid scheduling late-night visits.
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Accurate Listing Specifications: Clearly state genuine Marla/Kanal size, true monthly rent or demand, and active utilities (gas, water, electricity).
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Formal Tenancy Registration: Complete legal rent agreements on non-judicial stamp paper and register tenant verification with local police stations as required by law.
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Promptly Archive Closed Deals: Mark properties as Sold or Rented as soon as an agreement is finalized to avoid unnecessary calls.

3Roommate Finder Precautions

If you are seeking or offering shared accommodation:

Meet in Public First
Arrange your initial meeting at a public coffee shop or university cafeteria, not in a private room alone.
Verify ID & Background
Exchange student IDs or workplace references to establish mutual trust and accountability.
Document Cost Splitting
Agree in advance in writing on utility bill splits, guest hours, and deposit refund terms.

4Zero Tolerance for Fraud

GharMark actively monitors listings for misleading information, duplicate posts, and abusive behavior. Confirmed advance payment scams result in immediate account deletion, telephone blacklisting, and referral to the FIA Cyber Crime Wing under Pakistan's PECA law.

Found a suspicious listing or attempted scam?

Report the listing details and our Trust & Safety team will review it within 4 hours.

Report to Support