Finding affordable housing in today’s market can be difficult and stressful. Scammers take advantage of that stress by preying on potential renters. Rental scams have cost consumers millions of dollars in recent years, with younger renters being especially vulnerable.
These scams often begin with attractive online listings featuring below-market rent, beautiful photos, and desirable locations. In many cases, scammers simply copy legitimate listings and replace the contact information with their own.
Common rental scams include:
- Requesting application fees, deposits, or rent before you’ve toured the property.
- Asking for sensitive personal information, such as your Social Security number or driver’s license, too early in the process.
- Directing you to pay for unnecessary credit checks through unfamiliar websites.
- Refusing to meet in person while creating excuses for why they can’t show the property.
Before committing to a rental:
- Search the property’s address online. If it’s listed elsewhere with different prices or contact information, investigate further.
- Compare rental prices with similar homes in the area. Deals that seem too good to be true usually are.
- Never send money before confirming the property and the landlord are legitimate.
- Avoid sharing sensitive personal information until you’ve verified you’re working with the actual property owner or management company.
Rental scams can happen to anyone. Taking a little extra time to research a property could save you thousands of dollars and help protect your identity.