Have we been scammed?? Freaking out.

DH and I have been flat hunting recently, as we need to be moved out by November. We found a really lovely flat through this estate agent: http://www.jonathan-webb.co.uk/ and put down a holding deposit of 300 pounds. We didn't have all of the information we needed for our background check paperwork, so we took it home and were supposed to fax or scan/email after I was back at work (I'm a teacher).

Well, I got a call on Thursday from a woman at the company asking me what the hold up was, and I told her I was waiting on something and would send it the next day. Which I did. I was going to fax it, but I couldn't get ahold of anyone there for the fax number, though she had told me to call. So I scanned and emailed it instead. I have still had no confirmation that they received it.

I called today to check. I've been using this man (owner of the company)'s mobile number, but that just keeps saying "It has not been possible to connect your call." So that worried me... But I have his card. So I called the office number. I got a consistent busy signal for a couple of hours, and just now I got a message that the number has not been recognized! I even looked up the number for the office - not just his desk - and that one is doing the same thing. I'm really worried that we've been scammed and will be homeless/out 300 pounds. Anyone have advice/suggestions? I don't even know what I'm asking for, but I don't know what to do! 

As odd as it all is, why would they call and ask for the missing paperwork after they already had your money if they were scamming you? Something definitely sounds fishy, though. Good luck sorting it out. I wish I knew how to help!

Is there an office you can go to? How did you give him the deposit? Was it cash or cheque? Do you have confirmation of what you gave him, like a receipt or anything like that? I wouldn't panic yet, maybe it's just a problem with the phone line. This used to happen at the company I worked for, phones would go out for several hours up to a day or two and give the error message, etc. Take a deep breath and just think it through.

Regarding scams:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ManagingMoney/KeepingYourMoneySecure/DG_10035798

Recognising good private landlords - accreditation schemes:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Privaterenting/Repairsandstandards/DG_189202

Homelessness information:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Councilandhousingassociationhomes/Findingsomewhere/DG_4001401

Information regarding crisis loans:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018856

Keeping in mind if you have no recourse to public funds:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/while-in-uk/rightsandresponsibilities/publicfunds/  If you are still on a spousal visa (FLR(M)), remember that anything applied for needs to be done by your British spouse and your spouse cannot ask extra for you.

Hope that information helps. Good luck.

Is there an office you can go to? How did you give him the deposit? Was it cash or cheque? Do you have confirmation of what you gave him, like a receipt or anything like that? I wouldn't panic yet, maybe it's just a problem with the phone line. This used to happen at the company I worked for, phones would go out for several hours up to a day or two and give the error message, etc. Take a deep breath and just think it through.

I thought the same thing about the paperwork... That is strange. But what worries me is that it's both the mobile and the landline!   It doesn't make any sense.

We paid cash and we have a receipt. We went to the office, but it's a very small suite in Stratford, and is not always open. Although a small operation, it seemed pretty trustworty to me... But this is worrying me a LOT.

They look legitimate as far as being listed on estate agent websites and things, but I cant find any reviews of the agency, unfortuantely.  I'm with Jewlz - thinking there is a problem with the phones rather than the company itself.  Fingers crossed!

Thanks everyone. Just gonna have to sit tight, biting my nails, and try again tomorrow I guess.

I pass through Stratford on the train every day.  Let me know if there's anything I can do...

Have you sent another email to them requesting confirmation of the paperwork and stating that there is an issue with the phone lines? Try again tomorrow and see if you can get through, and if not, then try stopping by the office if you can and leave a note. If you still can't make contact in the next few days, then maybe you should send a return receipt letter demanding an immediate refund due to lack of correspondence. 

Hey M, I've got the boy looking to see how legit their website, it is legitimate i.e it's registered in the UK, the server is in Essex etc but it has been exploited,  so don't click on it if you're, there's loads of dodgy iframes at the bottom of the page and it's trying to send info/redirect to loads of dodgy turkish sites about geography weirdly enough. Chrome is trying to translate the page into turkish straight off as soon as I go there which is why I thought it was dodgy. So basically anything on that page could have been changed, which doesn't mean anything really, other than never go on their website.

Also I did find a review for them - http://www.qype.co.uk/place/736164-Jonathan-Webb-Co-London.

Hope it works out lovely, let me know if I can do anything.

I pass through Stratford on the train every day.  Let me know if there's anything I can do...

That's really kind. We're actually *supposed* to be moving to West Ham, as the Overground is the easiest way into work. But getting to Stratford from Dagenham is kind of a pain. If I don't hear anything I will keep your offer in mind. Thanks, Gary.

Have you sent another email to them requesting confirmation of the paperwork and stating that there is an issue with the phone lines? Try again tomorrow and see if you can get through, and if not, then try stopping by the office if you can and leave a note. If you still can't make contact in the next few days, then maybe you should send a return receipt letter demanding an immediate refund due to lack of correspondence. 

Yeah, I did e-mail around the same time I wrote this post. Hopefully I hear back tomorrow and everything is okay.  Thanks for your help, Jewlz. 

Hey M, I've got the boy looking to see how legit their website, it is legitimate i.e it's registered in the UK, the server is in Essex etc but it has been exploited,  so don't click on it if you're, there's loads of dodgy iframes at the bottom of the page and it's trying to send info/redirect to loads of dodgy turkish sites about geography weirdly enough. Chrome is trying to translate the page into turkish straight off as soon as I go there which is why I thought it was dodgy. So basically anything on that page could have been changed, which doesn't mean anything really, other than never go on their website.

Also I did find a review for them - http://www.qype.co.uk/place/736164-Jonathan-Webb-Co-London.

Hope it works out lovely, let me know if I can do anything.

Thanks, M. I really appreciate it. Fingers crossed. You may be able to help me with celebratory tacos if this works out! 

Let us know how you get on - hope it's all OK.

Good luck!!

I'm sending good vibes your direction, hope this works out for you.

That's really kind. We're actually *supposed* to be moving to West Ham, as the Overground is the easiest way into work. But getting to Stratford from Dagenham is kind of a pain. If I don't hear anything I will keep your offer in mind. Thanks, Gary.

How did Dagenham get into the picture?