What Are Rental Scams?

Rental scams, also known as housing fraud, involve scammers posing as landlords or property managers to deceive prospective tenants. These scams often lead to financial losses and false promises of housing.

How Do They Work?

Scammers typically:

• List fake rental properties online at attractive prices.
• Request deposits or application fees upfront without showing the property.
• Use fake or stolen photos to advertise properties they don’t own.
• Pressure victims into sending money quickly to secure the property.

Examples of Rental Scams

Rental scams deceive individuals seeking housing, often leading to financial loss and disappointment. Here are common examples:

• Non-Existent Listings: Scammers post fake advertisements for apartments or houses on rental websites, using stolen or edited photos. They request deposits or application fees to hold the property, only to vanish after receiving the payment.
• Duplicate Listings: Fraudsters copy legitimate rental listings and repost them at lower prices to attract more victims. When contacted, they claim urgency and demand money upfront.
• Fake Property Owners: Scammers pose as landlords or property managers, claiming to own or manage a property they have no connection to. They often fabricate convincing stories to gain the victim’s trust.
• Overseas Landlord Scams: Fraudsters claim to be out of the country and unable to show the property in person. They insist on securing the rental through wire transfers or other untraceable payment methods.
• Application Fee Scams: Victims are asked to pay a non-refundable application fee before viewing the property or signing a lease. After payment, the scammers stop responding.
• Key Exchange Fraud: Scammers promise to send property keys after receiving a deposit or rental payment. Victims never receive the keys, and the property either doesn’t exist or is already occupied.

How to Avoid Rental Scams

• Always visit the property in person before making any payments.
• Verify the landlord’s or property manager’s identity and credentials.
• Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.
• Never wire money or use non-secure payment methods for deposits.

Category

In-Person Scam