Like many companies, Axis Referral and its employees and agents are frequently targeted by bad actors using a variety of fraudulent schemes designed to impersonate us or our representatives to obtain personal information from consumers. Please exercise caution when communicating or transacting with anyone claiming to represent us, and do not hesitate to double or even triple-check that any email, message, or call is legitimate before sharing your personal information.

Here are a few of the most common scams we have encountered. Raising awareness of these practices can help protect you from falling victim to such schemes.

Common Scams

Axisreferral.com is our official consumer-facing website. Scammers have created fake or copycat sites, such as Axis-housing.com or Axis-apartment.com, pretending to be legitimate Axis Referral websites. These sites often look nearly identical to our official site and may even list legitimate phone numbers. However, the email addresses on these fraudulent sites do not belong to us or our agents. Please verify you are on axisreferral.com and not on a copycat site by carefully checking the URL (it should always appear as axisreferral.com or www.axisreferral.com) before engaging with an Axis Referral agent.
We actively work to identify and take down these fake or phishing sites as soon as we become aware of them — you can help by reporting any suspicious sites to info@axisreferral.com.

Scammers posing as Axis Referral agents have contacted potential buyers or renters, asking them to transfer funds through Zelle, Venmo, or other platforms to a particular email or phone number. If you receive such a request from an unfamiliar or new contact, please verify its legitimacy by reaching out directly to the agent using the contact information provided on axisreferral.com. Do not reply or click on any embedded links in the suspicious message.
Please also note that responding to fraudulent messages — even to ask if they are real — can confirm your valid contact information to the scammer. Additionally, clicking unknown links can expose your device to malware or viruses. In most cases, legitimate agents will not request payment for rent or deposits via Venmo or Zelle.

Many Axis Referral agents have their own independent websites, while others direct clients to their axisreferral.com profiles. Unfortunately, some scammers have created fake or duplicate agent sites using photos or branding from legitimate agent pages or social media accounts. It can be difficult to distinguish between real and fake sites, but fake ones are often unstable (appearing and disappearing within days) and less developed (only a few tabs instead of a full site). When in doubt, visit axisreferral.com and contact your agent using the information listed there.

Scam-Combating Tips

Do not share your password information with anyone. Each person who has access to your login details increases the risk of identity theft.

If you are already working with an agent and receive a message from a new or unknown number or email, contact your agent directly using their previous verified contact details to confirm any changes.

If you receive a request for a wire transfer, money order, Zelle, or Venmo payment from an unfamiliar contact, verify the legitimacy of the request by reaching out to the agent’s team using their verified contact information on axisreferral.com.

Be cautious if a message or email creates an unexpected sense of urgency — such as requesting immediate payment or personal details. Scammers use this tactic to pressure victims before they can verify legitimacy. Always pause and confirm before taking any action.

Click links only from trusted senders. Malware and phishing attacks often originate from links in unexpected or unfamiliar messages. Double-check if you were not expecting the link or if it comes from someone you do not know.

Watch for spelling errors or unusual tone in emails. While anyone can make a small typo, multiple misspellings or odd phrasing — especially in links — are strong signs of a scam. Trust your instincts and verify when something feels off.

Also, carefully check the spelling of email addresses or website domains. Scammers often misspell company names such as “Axis Referral” to trick users (e.g., Axes, Axiss, or Axer). All legitimate Axis Referral emails come from verified @axisreferral.com domains.

Be mindful of how much personal information you share on social media. Posting details like birthdays, travel plans, or contact information increases your exposure to fraud attempts. The less personal information publicly available, the lower your risk.

Already Believe You May Have Been Scammed?

If you suspect you have shared personal or financial information with a scammer, contact your financial institution immediately. Whether it’s your credit card company, bank, or mobile payment service (such as PayPal or Venmo), request that they block unauthorized transactions and issue new account details if necessary.

Consider freezing your credit reports to prevent new accounts from being opened in your name. You can visit each credit bureau’s website for information on placing a security freeze:

Equifax: Freeze Your Equifax Credit Report
Experian: Freeze Your Experian Credit Report
TransUnion: Freeze Your TransUnion Credit Report

You should also report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).