Most common scams in Spain

Cheryl · 2025-06-19T07:58:42+02:00

Discover common scams targeting expats in Spain, including immigration fraud and housing scams, along with tips to stay safe and avoid pitfalls.

Cheryl Moderator

Member since 15 October 2018

CherylModerator19 June 2025 05:58:42

13912

Hello everyone,

Settling in Spain as an expat implies navigating into a new and unfamiliar environment and habits, making you potentially vulnerable to scammers. Whether it鈥檚 immigration or finance advice, housing scam, online traps or getting charged at an expat rate, scams can occur in various ways.
We invite you to share your experience in order to help other expats and soon-to-be expats be aware of potential scams in Spain.

What are the most common scams targeting expats in Spain?

What are the specific warning signs to look out for?

Have you noticed certain groups being more vulnerable (for example, retirees, new arrivals, or non-native speakers)?

What tips and advice would you like to share to help other expats?

Share your insights and experience.

Thank you for your contribution.

Cheryl
禁漫天堂 Team

electra777 Member

Member since 09 March 2020

electra777Member07 July 2025 07:30:22

Most common for me is the SMS texts with fake DGT fines (I don't have a car or DL) and fake package delivery texts. I delete and ignore. Am also getting email spam in Spanish now.

pcantwell2377 Member

Member since 22 December 2022

pcantwell2377Member21 July 2025 21:18:26

I was victim to a rental scam. I tracked down the perpetrators and gave the police, fraud police and tax office all the evidence you could need and they all did............................ absolutely nothing!!!!

Trust nobody and don't expect the authorities to help.

rdkater Member

Member since 31 May 2022

rdkaterMember22 July 2025 15:48:22

dont report do someting about it if you have al the data help them to remember you don't be nice they wil not go to the police complaning about there tratement.

furisern Member

Member since 22 February 2011

furisernMember01 August 2025 12:19:47

Emails about a delivery that could not be done or that you have to pay to get some imported goods, but I suppose it is not specific to Spain.

A not that frequent scam but that can happen: taxi driving you everywhere but not directly to your destination so they can charge you more.

After 17 years here, I can speak pretty well spanish, but I cannot (and don't try either to) hide my french accent. And the most fantastic is that most people, if not everybody, will consider that I am a tourist or there for business, and that I don't know the town. Nobody really imagine that I live here.

Most taxi drivers are honest people. Most like to talk, some not that much, but it is rarely a bad experience, Although there might be exceptions.