Flatmate wanted scams: how to protect yourself

How the scam works:

The existing flatmate is contacted by the scammer who offers to pay bond immediately.
The scammer will explain why they can't meet to view the room. For example, they may be overseas finishing medical school or are out of town for the summer.
They pay quickly, but it's too much. This payment is often made with stolen credit cards or a compromised bank account that the scammer has fraudulently gained access to.
The flatmate is asked to repay the overpayment via Western Union, PayPal, Moneygram, or another overseas payment service.
The banks catch onto the original payment being dodgy, and reverse it from the existing flatmate's account.
The existing flatmate is left out of pocket – and is still looking for a flatmate.

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