Rental listing scams: fake listings that ask for a deposit
A listing with low rent and an owner who can't show it, asking for a deposit before you see the place.
Could you spot it?
2 quick examples. Decide scam or legit for each.
How it works
Scammers copy real listings, lower the rent, and post them as their own. The “owner” is traveling or overseas and can't show the place, but you can secure it now with a deposit or first month's rent by wire, payment app or gift card.
You find out when you arrive with your boxes and someone else lives there, or the real owner has never heard of it.
Red flags
- Rent well below similar places nearby.
- The owner can't meet or show the place.
- Pressure to pay a deposit before you've seen it or signed a lease.
- Payment by wire, payment app, gift card or crypto.
What it looks like
You asked about a two-bedroom apartment listed at $1,150 a month. Similar places nearby rent for about $2,000.
Thank you for your interest. I am currently working abroad, so I cannot show you the apartment in person. However, I can mail you the keys once you send the first month's rent and deposit ($2,300) by wire transfer or Zelle.
Several people are interested, so please let me know today if you want to secure it.
The tells:
- Rent far below similar places nearby.
- The owner can't show it.
- Money before you've seen the place, by wire or Zelle.
- Pressure: others are interested.
A training example written for this site. Names, numbers and links are made up, and links are disabled.
What to do
- See the place in person, or have someone you trust do it, before paying anything.
- Search the address and the listing photos to find copies.
If you already paid or shared information
- Contact the company you used to pay (your bank, card company, gift card company, payment app or wire service) right away and ask them to reverse the payment.
- If you shared a password, change it now and turn on two-factor authentication.
- If you gave out your Social Security number or other ID details, go to IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan.
- Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For scams that happened online, you can also report to the FBI at ic3.gov.
From FTC: What to do if you were scammed.
Latest alerts about this scam
- FTC ·How to spot fake rental listings during a military move
Whether you’ve been planning a move for months or you’re dealing with last-minute orders, military moves can be both exciting and stressful. The last thing you need is a rental scam.
Sources
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