House Sitting Red Flags and Scams: How to Protect Yourself

Pet sitters are generally trustworthy people; you have to be, after all, to walk into a stranger's home and take care of their pets. Unfortunately, scammers know this and take advantage of it.

The fake listing scam is the most common. Someone posts an ad for a beautiful home in a desirable location, where pets are allowed and which offers all kinds of extras. The ad looks legitimate, the photos are stunning, and the homeowner responds quickly and is friendly. Then they ask you to pay a "deposit" or "registration fee" before your booking is confirmed. Once you've paid, they disappear without a trace. Reputable homeowners on well-known platforms never ask sitters for money upfront.

The phishing scam works differently. You'll receive a message that looks like it came from the platform, such as an email that says: "Your request has been approved! Click here to confirm." The link takes you to a fake login page that steals your login credentials. Always check the URL carefully and log in directly through the platform instead of clicking on links in emails.

The off-platform redirect is subtler. A homeowner contacts you through the platform but wants to immediately switch the conversation to email, WhatsApp, or another messaging service. This bypasses the platform's security measures and makes it harder to report fraud. There is no legitimate reason to leave the platform before you've at least had a video call and built trust.

The overpayment scam targets paid sitters. Someone offers you a house sitting assignment and sends you a check for more than the agreed-upon amount. They ask you to return the difference. A few days later, the original check bounces, and you've lost the money you returned. If someone overpays you and asks you to return the money, it's a scam. Always.

Homeowners are vulnerable in a different way: you're literally giving someone access to your home and your pets. There's more at stake, because that's just the way it is.

The identity theft angle is a growing concern. A "house sitter" signs up using a stolen profile, real photos, and genuine references -all taken from someone else's social media accounts. They will look after your home, but they'll also take photos of your documents, mail, and personal information. Before letting anyone into your home, you should verify their identity via a video call and check whether their face matches the profile photos.

The squatter risk is rare but real, particularly in regions with strong tenant protection laws. Someone accepts a house-sitting assignment and then refuses to leave, claiming the right to occupy the property. That's why written agreements with clear start and end dates are so important, and why you should always use a reputable platform that leaves a paper trail.

The theft-by-sitter scam is straightforward - imagine someone is house-sitting for you with the intention of stealing your valuables. He or she might take excellent care of the pets and seem completely normal, but small items still go missing. A piece of jewelry here, some cash there. Sometimes it isn't discovered until weeks later. Store your valuables in a locked safe or take them with you. Don't leave cash, important documents, or expensive items lying around.

The fake references problem is more common than outright scams. A house sitter provides glowing references that later turn out to be from friends or made-up contacts. On GPS, every user's identity is verified before they can sign up or post house sitting assignments, and reviews are based on verified, completed house sitting assignments, making it harder to fake. But if someone's references are all outside the platform and you can't verify them independently, be cautious.

Not every red flag means someone is trying to scam you. Sometimes it just means someone is disorganized, isn't being honest about their situation, or isn't a good fit for you. But these warning signs should give you pause.

They won't do a video call. This is the most important point. A homeowner who refuses to appear on camera before handing over the keys either has something to hide about themselves or the property, or isn't taking the arrangement seriously. Through video calls, you can tour the property, meet the pets virtually, and verify that the person is indeed who they say they are. No video call, no pet-sitting job.

The listing details are vague or inconsistent. The photos don't match the description. The number of pets varies from listing to listing. They can't give you a clear answer about the neighborhood, the vet's contact information, or basic details about the property. Real homeowners know their own homes; vagueness suggests that the listing might not be genuine.

They pressure you to commit immediately. "I want an answer tonight" or "There are five other house sitters who are interested" are classic ways to pressure someone. Good homeowners understand that house sitters need time to evaluate a house-sitting assignment. If someone is pressuring you, ask yourself why.

They downplay the workload. "The dogs can pretty much take care of themselves" is almost never true. If a pet owner glosses over details about pet care, medication schedules, or behavioral issues, you'll likely only find out once they're already on the plane. Ask specific questions and watch out for evasive answers.

They have no reviews or a brand new profile. Everyone has to start somewhere, so a new profile isn't necessarily cause for concern. But if you see this alongside other red flags, you should be extra vigilant. Ask for additional verification, such as a social media profile or a LinkedIn page -something that confirms the person is real and has a real address.

Homeowners need to be just as discerning. The safety of your pets and the security of your home depend on choosing the right person.

They have no references and get defensive when asked. Everyone starts with zero reviews, and that's perfectly fine. But a house sitter who reacts with hostility or evasiveness when you ask for references is revealing something about their character. New sitters who are serious about building a reputation will provide all possible evidence: personal references, a clean background check, and proof of experience caring for pets.

Their profile is thin or generic. A profile that simply says, "I love animals!" doesn't really tell you anything. Good pet sitters describe their experience, mention specific animals they've cared for, explain why they're pet sitters, and put effort into their profile. If someone doesn't even bother to fill out their profile properly, how much effort will they really put into caring for your pets?

They avoid specific questions. Ask about their experience with your type of pet. Ask what they would do in an emergency. Ask about their daily routine. If they give vague, evasive answers or try to change the subject, they may not have the experience they claim to have.

They want to bring extra people. If a house sitter casually mentions that their partner, friend, or children will be coming along -especially if they didn't mention this in advance -that's a red flag. You agreed to have one person in your home. Additional people affect daily routines, liability, and wear and tear on your property. This must always be discussed and agreed upon before the house-sitting assignment is confirmed.

They push to go off-platform immediately. Just like with homeowners, a sitter who wants to handle everything directly via private email or messages may be trying to bypass the platform's review system and safety measures. Keep communicating through the app until you both feel comfortable.

Sometimes the warning signs don't become apparent until the meeting has already started. If you know what to look for, you can react quickly.

For sitters - undisclosed issues are the most common problem. Upon arrival, the house turns out to look nothing like the photos. The "friendly" dog is actually irritable and aggressive. There are pests, something no one had mentioned. The heating doesn't work, and it's January. Concealed issues aren't just annoying -they can also be dangerous. If the situation upon arrival differs significantly from the description, document everything with photos and contact the GPS help desk immediately.

Unreasonable expectations that escalate after arrival are another warning sign. The homeowner starts adding tasks: cleaning the gutters, mowing the lawn, running errands for the neighbors. What began as pet-sitting gradually turns into property management. If new responsibilities keep piling up that weren't part of the original agreement, you need to object firmly but politely.

Communication goes dark. A homeowner who was responding before you left has suddenly stopped replying to messages. This is important because you may need to contact them in case of pet emergencies or issues with the house. Before your pet-sitting period begins, make sure you have an alternative contact person -such as a friend, family member, or neighbor -who can make decisions if the homeowner is unavailable.

For homeowners - concerning check-in behavior. If your house sitter stops sending updates, doesn't respond to messages for a long time, or if their updates don't match what your cameras or neighbors are seeing, something might be wrong. Security cameras in common areas (which the house sitter has been informed about in advance) and a reliable neighbor who can check in are your best early warning systems.

Trust your gut. If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. It's better to end a house sitting assignment early and find another house sitter than to let a bad situation escalate.

The best thing you can do to protect yourself -whether you're a house sitter or a homeowner -is to stay on the platform for as long as possible.

Why on-platform communication matters:

• Every message is logged and can be referenced in a dispute
• The platform can intervene if something goes wrong
• Payment processing is protected
• Reviews are tied to actual completed sits
• Scammers can't operate as easily when there's a paper trail

Verification steps everyone should take:

• Video call before committing - this is non-negotiable. See the person, see the home (or at least hear the pets in the background), and trust your instincts about the conversation
• Check reviews carefully - don't just count them, read them. Look for specifics. Generic five-star reviews with no detail are less trustworthy than a four-star review that describes the actual experience
• Google them - a quick search of someone's name can reveal a lot. Social media profiles that match their platform profile add credibility. No online presence at all for a homeowner claiming to be a professional can be concerning
• Ask for a reference outside the platform - especially for newer users. A sitter's previous employer or a homeowner's neighbor can provide context that reviews might not

Use the platform's built-in features. There's a good reason why GPS offers identity verification, rating systems, and messaging services. These features are there because they work. As soon as you arrange a house-sitting assignment entirely outside the platform, you lose all the protection you had.

This doesn't mean you should never exchange personal contact information. Once trust has been established, it's perfectly reasonable to exchange phone numbers for emergencies during the house sitting period. However, the booking, arrangements, and all essential communication must be handled through GPS.

Even with all the precautions you take, things can still go wrong. Here's how to handle it.

If you discover a scam before money changes hands:

• Stop all communication with the person
• Report the profile to GPS support with screenshots
• If they contacted you via email, report the phishing attempt
• Don't feel embarrassed - scammers are professionals at deception and reporting them helps protect the next person

If you've already lost money:

• Contact your bank immediately - many fraudulent transactions can be reversed if reported quickly
• File a report with GPS support
• File a police report, especially for amounts over a few hundred dollars
• Report to your national fraud authority (FTC in the US, Report Fraud in the UK, ACCC Scamwatch in Australia)
• Document everything - screenshots, emails, transaction records

If you're in a bad sit and feel unsafe:

• Leave. Your safety comes first, always. No sit is worth risking your personal safety
• Contact GPS support and explain the situation - they can help find alternative accommodation or care
• If there's an immediate threat, call emergency services
• Document the condition of the home and pets before you leave

If you're a homeowner and suspect your sitter is problematic:

• Contact GPS support immediately
• Reach out to your local emergency contact (neighbor, friend, family) to do a welfare check on the pets
• Don't confront the sitter aggressively, especially via text - keep communication factual and documented
• If you believe your pets are in danger, contact local animal services

After the incident:

• Leave an honest review. Your experience - good or bad - helps the community. Be factual, not emotional. Describe what happened without personal attacks
• If the situation involved legal issues, consult a lawyer before posting public reviews
• Take a break if you need one. A bad experience doesn't mean house sitting doesn't work - it means you encountered a bad actor in an otherwise great community