Affordable Housing Resources
Resources
How to Avoid Rental Scams
Rental scams are on the rise and becoming more sophisticated. A rental scam occurs when scammers make up listings for places that aren't for rent or don't exist. Sometimes scammers will take real listings, repost them with their contact information, steal application fees, deposits, or personal information, and then disappear. If a listing seems too good to be true, it likely is.
There are ways to help protect yourself from scammers. Before you sign a lease or pay:
- Compare the price against other rental properties in the area. Be wary of rents far below market value or if there is pressure to decide quickly.
- Ask to see the property in person or via a virtual tour before signing a lease or sending money. If you can't go, ask someone you trust to check it out.
- Search the property owner or rental company with terms such as “review,” “scam,” or “complaint.”
- Never give personal or financial information before verifying that it is a legitimate rental.
- Don’t send money before signing a lease and always sign a lease before renting. If there is no lease or the lease is incomplete, it’s probably a scam.
- Don’t pay with cash, wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Thieves use these because they are hard to trace.
If you believe you were scammed or if you spot a scam, contact local law enforcement
and report it to the Federal Trade Commission.