Rental scams: What they are, how to spot, avoid, and report them

What is a rental scam?

A rental scam is a type of online scam in which someone poses as a landlord, property owner, property manager, or rental agent to steal money or personal information from someone looking for a place to rent. The listing may be completely fake, copied from a real property, or tied to a legitimate address the scammer has no right to rent.

The goal is usually financial, such as collecting a security deposit, first month’s rent, or application fee before the victim realizes what’s happened. In some cases, apartment scams or housing scams are also used as a vehicle for identity theft, with fake applications designed to harvest Social Security numbers, bank account details, and other sensitive data.

How do rental scams work?

Rental scams work by tricking people into paying money or sharing personal information for a property that isn’t legitimately available to rent. Scammers typically create fake listings or impersonate landlords, convince prospective tenants that a property is available, and then request deposits, rent payments, or sensitive personal information before the victim can verify the rental is real.

Once you reach out, the scammer plays the part of the landlord or rental agent convincingly. They’ll have a plausible backstory, like traveling for work or currently abroad. At some point, they’ll push for payment like a security deposit or the first month’s rent upfront, and even before you’ve toured the property or signed a lease. Like in many forms of internet fraud, they’ll ask for payment by wire transfer, cash, crypto, or gift cards because these methods are nearly impossible to reverse.

Once you’ve paid, they disappear. The listing comes down. Usually, the address belongs to someone who has no idea their property was used in online rental scams.

A scammer might also rent a property themselves and then re-list it to multiple renters, collecting deposits from each. Others use fake rental applications to collect personally identifiable information, such as your employment history, bank account numbers, or SSNs, which can then be used for identity theft long after the original scam. 

Most common types of rental scams

Some rental scams are simple copy-and-paste fraud schemes, while others involve sophisticated fake websites, stolen identities, and AI-generated content. Here are some of the most common rental scams renters should know about:

• Phantom rentals. The property doesn’t exist. The listing is built from copied photos and a real-sounding address.
• Hijacked listings. A real listing is copied from a reputable site, the contact details are replaced, and it’s reposted elsewhere. The property is real, but the landlord isn’t.
• Bait-and-switch. An appealing listing draws you in. When you respond, you’re told it’s gone, but a worse, pricier option is available.
• Upfront fee and fake lease scams. In rental application scams, a scammer posing as a rental agent collects an application fee, sometimes provides a fake lease, and then vanishes.
• Fake or cloned websites. Fraudulent sites mimic legitimate rental companies, complete with branding and logos, to collect payments or personal information.
• Roommate listing scams. Fake roommate ads collect deposits from multiple applicants or harvest personal details through application forms.
• Fake landlord fraud. Someone impersonates a property’s real owner, often using publicly available ownership records, and rents it to unsuspecting renters.
• Phishing and identity theft scams disguised as tenant screening. Instead of focusing only on money, some rental scams aim to steal identities. The scammer requests Social Security numbers, bank account details, employment records, or copies of IDs under the guise of a background check or rental application.

How to spot rental scams: 11 red flags to watch out for

The signs of a rental scam often aren’t obvious at first glance, but most of them share recognizable warning signs. Here are 11 signs of rental scams to look out for to help you detect rental fraud before you respond to a listing or send payment.

1. The rent is suspiciously low for the area

Scammers price listings low on purpose. A below-market rent generates a rush of inquiries, creates urgency, and makes people more willing to move fast. If an apartment or house is priced significantly cheaper than comparable rentals in the same area, treat it as a reason to investigate and not as a lucky find.

2. The listing photos look too professional or AI-generated

Scammers often lift professional photos from other listings or real estate sites. Some now use AI to generate images of properties that don’t exist at all — a growing category of AI scams that’s becoming harder to detect. If photos look staged, unusually polished, or inconsistent with the listing’s description or price point, run a reverse image search before going further.

3. The listing has vague or generic language

Real landlords know their properties well. Watch for descriptions that could apply to any apartment anywhere, like "spacious," "great location," or "bright and airy," without any specific details about the building, street, or neighborhood. Language that reads as if the writer has never been inside the property is a signal that they probably haven’t.

4. The listing appears on multiple platforms with different contact info

If the same property appears on multiple sites with different phone numbers, email addresses, or rental prices, it’s almost certainly a hijacked listing. Legitimate landlords don’t post the same listing under different contact details.

Meanwhile, rental scammers frequently reuse photos copied from real estate websites, property management company sites, or even interior design blogs.

5. The address doesn’t exist or can’t be verified

Search the address on Google Maps before responding to the listing. Check whether the property exists, what the building looks like from the street, and whether the exterior matches the photos. If the address doesn’t exist as described, or turns out to be a home listed for sale, not rent, stop communicating.

6. The landlord won’t meet in person

Rental scammers almost always avoid meeting face-to-face. Expect excuses: they’re out of the country, dealing with a family emergency, traveling for work. A legitimate landlord will make time to meet or, at a minimum, agree to a live video call. If someone insists on text or email only, that’s a red flag.

7. You are requested to pay before seeing the place or signing the lease

No legitimate landlord requires payment before a property tour and a signed lease. If you’re being asked for a security deposit, application fee, or rent upfront, that’s a security deposit scam tactic designed to pressure you into committing before your instincts kick in.

Also, watch for unusually large upfront requests. If you’re being asked for significantly more than a standard first month’s rent and security deposit before any documentation is in place, that’s a red flag worth taking seriously.

8. You are requested to pay a large upfront fee for a background check

Tenant background checks are standard, but the fees are modest and may be regulated in your state. If you’re asked to pay an unusually large or vague "screening fee," especially before any tour has been arranged, be skeptical. Some scammers use this tactic as a way to collect money with no intent of processing any application.

9. Payment is requested via wire transfer, cash, crypto, or gift cards

These payment methods share one critical trait: they’re nearly impossible to recover once sent. No legitimate landlord should insist on untraceable payment methods. Be especially alert to Zelle scams and Cash App scams. Both platforms are increasingly used by rental scammers because transactions are instant and hard to reverse.

10. No lease is available or the lease is vague

A legitimate rental always comes with a written lease that clearly states the address, rent amount, payment schedule, lease term, and both parties’ responsibilities. If there’s no lease available, if the landlord is reluctant to provide one, or if what you receive is vague or missing key terms, don’t proceed. A fake lease is a common tool in lease fraud and lease scams. Without a signed lease, you also have no written record of what was agreed upon, which can make it significantly harder to pursue any form of recovery.

11. Requests for personal information too early

Asking for your Social Security number, bank account details, copies of your ID, or extensive financial information before you’ve toured the property or started a formal application is a major red flag. Legitimate tenant screening happens after a tour, not before. Handing over personally identifiable information at this stage can lead directly to identity theft. 

If you’re wondering what someone can do with your Social Security number, the risks can extend to your finances, including attempts to access accounts or commit identity fraud. That’s why it’s important to understand how to protect your bank account from fraud and safeguard your personal information.

How to verify a rental listing

Verifying a rental listing before you send money or share personal information can help you avoid rental scams. By checking the listing details, researching the property, and confirming the landlord’s identity, you can spot many common red flags before they become costly mistakes.

Here’s how to determine whether a rental listing and landlord are legitimate or if you’re looking at one of the many rental listing scams circulating online.

Check the listing across multiple platforms

Search the property address on Zillow, Apartments.com, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace. If the same property appears under different contact details, a different price, or a different landlord name, you’re almost certainly looking at a hijacked listing. A scammer’s repost and the original listing may both be live at the same time.

Compare the rental price against market averages

Look at what comparable apartments or houses in the same area are currently listed for. Resources like Zillow’s rent estimates, Apartments.com, or your city’s rental market data can give you a quick benchmark. A price that’s 20–30% below comparable rentals for no obvious reason warrants a closer look.

Do a reverse image search of the listing photos

Go to images.google.com, click the camera icon in the search bar, and upload the listing photos, or right-click the image and choose "Search this image with Google Lens" in Chrome. Doing so will show other websites using the same photos. If the images appear on a different listing with a different address, contact, or price, the listing you found is almost certainly fraudulent.

Look up the property address and ownership records

Most county assessor or municipal websites have a free public property search tool. Look up the address to confirm who owns the property. If the person you’re communicating with claims to be the owner but records say otherwise, or if the property is in foreclosure, already sold, or listed for sale, that’s a serious problem.

Verify the landlord or agent’s identity and credentials

Ask for a business card, license number, and contact phone. If the person claims to be a licensed real estate agent, verify it through your state’s licensing database. Most states maintain free, searchable public directories. Check their name and email domain against the company they claim to represent. Searching their name + "reviews" or "scam" may also surface prior complaints. The BBB and Google Reviews are worth checking, too.

Use Street View to confirm the property exists and matches its listing photos

Open Google Maps, enter the address, and switch to Street View. If the building doesn’t exist as described, has a "For Sale" sign out front, or looks nothing like what was advertised, you’re likely dealing with a fake apartment listing.

How to avoid rental scams

Knowing the warning signs and verification steps above will protect you in most situations. If you want to learn how to protect yourself from rental scams, the additional tips below are also worth applying throughout your rental search.

1. Always tour before paying anything

Don’t pay a deposit, application fee, or first month’s rent until you’ve visited the property in person. If you’re relocating from out of town, insist on a live video call where the person walks through the space in real time before any money changes hands.

2. Never pay with untraceable methods

For any legitimate rental payment, such as a security deposit or first month’s rent, use a traceable method and keep clear records like bank receipts, a signed lease, and written confirmation of the payment terms.

3. Never pay before reviewing and signing a lease

Don’t hand over money or a signed application based on a verbal promise. A real landlord will provide a written lease before any payment is due. If you’re being pushed to commit before any paperwork is in place, take time to verify the listing first.

4. Verify the landlord and the property

Confirm that the person you’re dealing with has the authority to rent the property. If the contact claims to be a rental agent or listing agent, check whether they hold a valid real estate license. Licensed real estate agents have publicly searchable credentials and registered phone numbers.

If the landlord claims to be a private property owner, try to verify their identity independently before you move forward. A quick search of their name, email address, or the phone numbers they’ve provided can sometimes surface prior complaints or links to known scam reports.

5. Read the lease before you sign

A legitimate rental will always come with a proper lease that outlines the property address, rent amount, payment schedule, and both parties’ responsibilities. Read it carefully before you sign. If there’s no lease, if the landlord is reluctant to provide one, or if what you’re given is vague or missing key details, don’t proceed.

6. Keep records

Screenshot the listing and save it before it disappears. Keep copies of all email and text exchanges. Document every payment with a receipt, bank record, or written confirmation from the landlord. If something goes wrong, this documentation is essential when you report rental scams to the authorities.

7. Use protection tools

If your personal information ends up in the wrong hands during a rental search, the damage can last long after the scam itself. Coveron offers scam protection and online fraud insurance to help you spot risks early and recover eligible losses in case something goes wrong.

Lastly, trusting your instincts can help. If something feels off, like when the communication seems scripted, the price looks unrealistic, or the deal seems too convenient, it’s always a good idea to slow down. Rental scammers depend on you acting quickly before your gut catches up. Taking a few hours to verify information is always worth it.

How to avoid rental scams when looking for a roommate

Roommate listings are a common target for rental fraud, both for renters seeking a room and for people advertising one in their home. Whether you’re responding to a post or vetting a potential housemate, the same principles that protect you in a standard rental search apply here, too.

If you’re the one accepting a new roommate, a few extra steps can protect you from fake applicants and lease fraud.

1. Always meet in person

Before agreeing to anything like payments, move-in dates, or a shared lease, meet the person face-to-face. A phone call or text exchange isn’t enough. If they refuse to meet or keep pushing the meeting back, treat that as a red flag.

2. Verify employment and income

Ask for a pay stub, offer letter, or bank statement to confirm the person can afford their share of the rent. Scammers sometimes pose as ideal roommates to get access to a property, then default on payments or disappear entirely.

3. Ask for references from previous landlords

A genuine applicant should be able to provide at least one or two prior landlord references. Follow up on them directly through a call rather than email, and confirm the person rented from the landlord at the address they listed.

4. Conduct a background check

Use a legitimate tenant screening service to verify identity, rental history, and any prior evictions. This is a standard practice for any rental arrangement and shouldn’t raise objections from a genuine applicant. If someone refuses or becomes evasive, that tells you something.

Have you been scammed? Here’s what to do and how to report a rental scam

If you’ve already lost money or shared personal information with a rental scammer, speed matters. The faster you act, the better your chances of limiting the damage. Here’s how to report rental scams and start recovering.

1. Stop all communication with the scammer

Cut off communication immediately. Don’t try to negotiate, confront, or recover the money through the scammer directly. Further contact can expose you to additional manipulation or tip off the scammer that they need to disappear faster.

2. Report to your bank or credit card company

Call your bank right away. Some wire transfers can be recalled before they clear — it’s not guaranteed, but worth trying immediately. Credit card payments may be disputable. Learn more about whether banks refund scammed money and what the process typically involves before you contact them.

3. Report to the FTC

The Federal Trade Commission is the primary federal agency for reporting rental scams and other consumer fraud. File a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Include as much detail as you can, such as the listing URL, any communications with the scammer, the platform where you found the ad, and records of any payments made.

4. Report to the FBI’s IC3

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov accepts reports of internet-based fraud, including rental scams. If the scam involved a significant financial loss or appeared to be part of a larger organized scheme, filing with IC3 is a useful step alongside your FTC report.

5. Report to the police

If you lost money, report the scam to your local law enforcement agency. Bring documentation like screenshots of the listing, all messages from the scammer, and proof of any payments. A police report creates an official record, which may be required if you’re seeking a refund from your bank or pursuing other legal remedies.

6. Report to the platform where you found the listing

Report the fraudulent listing to the site or app where you found it, whether that’s Craigslist, a real estate aggregator, or a social media group. Most platforms have tools for flagging suspicious listings. Getting the ad removed quickly can help protect other renters. If the scam originated on Facebook, read more about Facebook Marketplace scams and how to report them directly.

7. Consider a credit freeze or fraud alert if you’ve shared some personal info

If you gave a scammer your Social Security number, ID, or bank account information, act quickly. A fraud alert flags your credit file, so lenders know to verify your identity before extending new credit. Learning how to freeze your credit goes further because it locks your credit file entirely, preventing any new accounts from being opened in your name.

8. Leave reviews to warn others

Post about your experience on Google Reviews and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). If the scam used a real address, post a warning in local community Facebook groups or neighborhood forums where renters in the area are likely to see it.

References

[1]:  Rental scams hit home with $65 million in reported losses (2025), https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/data-visualizations/data-spotlight/2025/12/rental-scams-hit-home-65-million-reported-losses