How to Avoid Rental Scams: Signs, Tips & What to Do If Scammed

NOTE: Fairfield ONLY rents our apartments directly through our community’s website or leasing office.

Finding a new apartment should be exciting, not stressful. But with more renters searching online than ever before, scammers have found new ways to exploit the process. Since 2020, consumers have reported nearly 65,000 rental scams to the FTC, with losses totaling about $65 million. And since most scams go unreported, this likely reflects only a fraction of the actual harm.

 

What Is a Rental Scam?

A rental scam is any attempt to defraud a renter out of money under the premise of offering an apartment or house for rent. Scammers pose as landlords or property managers and use fake listings to collect deposits, application fees, or personal information from unsuspecting renters. The property either doesn't exist, isn't actually for rent, or the person advertising it has no authority to rent it. Once the money is sent, the scammer disappears.

 

Where Rental Scams Happen Most Often

Scammers go where the renters are. That means popular platforms with high traffic and easy listing access are prime targets. Here's what to watch for on each.

Facebook Marketplace Rental Scams

Facebook Marketplace has become the epicenter of rental fraud. According to the FTC, in the 12 months ending in June 2025, about half of the people who reported a rental scam said it started with a fake ad on Facebook. Scammers take advantage of the platform's casual, peer-to-peer nature to post fake listings. They often use stolen photos from legitimate rental sites and create fake profiles to appear trustworthy. 

Because Facebook allows direct messaging, scammers can quickly build rapport and pressure victims to pay before they have time to verify the listing. Many young adults report being targeted on Facebook groups that college students use to find sublets and other housing options near campus.

Craigslist Rental Scams

Craigslist has long been associated with rental scams due to its anonymous posting system. About 16% of rental scam reports trace back to fake listings on Craigslist. Scammers can create listings without verifying their identities, making it easy for them to post fake ads and then disappear.

Common tactics include copying real listings from other sites and changing the contact information, or advertising properties at below-market rates to attract more responses. Many would-be renters report discovering that the scammer copied an ad for a property that was really for sale, not for rent.

Zillow Rental Scams

Even trusted platforms like Zillow aren't immune. Scammers sometimes hijack legitimate listings by copying property details and photos, then posting them elsewhere with fraudulent contact information. In other cases, they pose as property managers and direct renters to communicate outside the platform, where there's less oversight. A common tactic involves listing properties that don't actually exist or aren't actually for rent. The swindle may even involve an in-person or virtual showing of a vacant property the scammer has gained access to.

 

Common Rental Scams to Watch For

Scammers use a variety of tactics to steal money and personal information. Understanding these schemes helps you recognize them before it's too late.

Fake and Hijacked Listings

Scammers create fake rental listings by copying legitimate ones, changing the contact information, and posting them on a different site. The property exists, but the person advertising it has no connection to it. 

In some cases, the property doesn't exist at all. Scammers use fake addresses or photos of owner-occupied homes to collect deposits from multiple victims. Others gain access to vacant properties, change the locks, and host illegitimate tours to make the scam more convincing.

A reverse image search can reveal whether photos have been lifted from another site, and contacting properties directly through their official website helps you avoid fake contact information.

Rental Application Scams

Some scammers collect application fees with no intention of renting to you. Others use fake applications to harvest personal information, such as Social Security numbers, driver's licenses, and bank details, for identity theft.

Scammers also push renters to prove creditworthiness by sending screenshots of their credit scores. They provide affiliate links to sign up for a credit check at a low cost, but this may enroll you in a paid membership with recurring fees. Before submitting any sensitive information, verify that the landlord or property management company is legitimate and trustworthy.

Bait-and-Switch Tactics

A scammer advertises an attractive property at a great price. When you show interest, they claim it's no longer available and redirect you to a different, often inferior, property. They may create other artificial urgency to prevent you from doing proper research. If this happens, walk away and find another listing.

 

Signs of a Rental Scam

Knowing the warning signs can help you spot a scam before you lose money. Be cautious if you notice any of these red flags.

The Price Is Too Good to Be True

If a listing is significantly below market rate for the area, there's usually a reason. Scammers create fake listings from scratch, complete with attractive photos and below-market rent to grab your attention. Research comparable rentals in the neighborhood to get a sense of what's reasonable.

There's Pressure to Pay Quickly

Scammers often create a false sense of urgency by claiming there are multiple interested applicants or that the price will increase soon. This pressure is designed to make you act quickly, before you have time to think or verify the listing. They may then ask for money upfront, such as an application fee, security deposit, or first month’s rent, claiming it is required to “hold” the property, even though you have not seen it in person.

They Request Unusual Payment Methods

Requests for wire transfers, cash, gift cards, or payment apps like Zelle or Venmo before signing a lease are major red flags. What all of those payment methods have in common is that the money goes from you to the recipient nearly instantaneously, and the transactions are often irreversible.

The Landlord Won't Meet or Show the Property

Proceed with caution if your contact offers excuses for not touring the property or meeting in person. Legitimate landlords can easily offer in-person or virtual tours. Scammers typically avoid meeting you and instead rely on self-guided tours to appear legitimate. They do this by copying listings from landlords who use self-tour services and sending a lockbox code to make the situation seem authentic.

The Listing Has Poor Grammar or Vague Details

Spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, and generic descriptions can indicate a hastily assembled fake listing. Legitimate property managers take care to present their rentals in a professional manner.

No Lease Agreement Is Offered

A legitimate rental always involves a written lease that outlines the terms of your agreement. Be wary of anyone willing to hand over keys without proper documentation.

 

How to Spot a Rental Scam Before You Pay

Protecting yourself requires some research before you commit. These steps will help you verify any rental listing.

• Verify the listing on the official property website. If the property is managed by a company, go directly to their website and confirm the listing exists. Contact them by phone or via the form on their official site, not the contact info in the ad.
• Google the address and photos. Search the rental address online to see if the same property is listed with different prices, contact information, or is listed as being for sale.
• Request a tour. Always tour the property before signing anything. If an in-person visit isn't possible, request a video call walkthrough. Anyone unwilling to show you the property should not be trusted.
• Research the landlord or property manager. Look up the person or company you're dealing with. Check reviews, verify their business registration, and search for any complaints or scam reports.
• Expect a credit check. Legitimate landlords screen their tenants. If someone is willing to rent to you without any background or credit check, that's a warning sign.
• Always sign a written lease. Never pay a deposit or move in without a documented lease agreement. This protects both you and the landlord and ensures everyone understands the terms.

 

What to Do If You've Been Scammed

If you suspect you've been a victim of a rental scam, act quickly to minimize the damage.

• Contact your bank immediately. If you sent money by check or wire transfer, your bank may be able to stop the payment or recover the funds.
• Report the scam. File a complaint with your local police department. You can also report rental fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• Set up fraud alerts. If you have shared sensitive information, such as your Social Security number, place a fraud alert on your credit reports through Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. This notifies you if someone tries to open accounts in your name.
• Report the listing. Flag the fraudulent listing on the platform where you found it. This helps protect other renters from the same scam.

 

Rent With Confidence

At Fairfield, we make the rental process transparent and secure. We only rent our apartments directly through our community websites or leasing offices, and we never ask for payment through unsecured methods. We're proud to offer multiple touring options and will always let you see your future home before you sign a lease.

If you're ready to find your next apartment the safe way, explore our communities and schedule a tour today.