Rental Fraud: How to Spot and Avoid Rental Scams

Rental scams occur when a property owner misrepresents themselves, the rental property in question or the terms of a lease in an attempt to obtain money for a fraudulent offer.

Scammers may advertise a rental property that doesn’t exist or that has already been filled, then attempt to collect payment up front, leaving the renter in the lurch. Scammers may create fake websites to make these offers seem legitimate or post a fake listing using a legitimate platform such as Craigslist or Facebook.

However, by recognizing warning signs in a rental listing, you can avoid rental scammers and find your ideal home as safely as possible.

Common signs of rental scams

While no two rental scams are exactly alike, there are common warning signs that could indicate you’re in danger of becoming a victim of fraud. Keep an eye out for these red flags:

The listing is copied or vague. Rental scammers may copy a legitimate listing and replace the contact name and other information with their own. The new advertisement may be copied word for word and could include a rental company logo or other type of watermark on the photos, making it seem legitimate. In reality, the scammer may not be associated with the property at all.

How to report housing fraud

If you believe you’ve been the victim of a rental scam, consider taking action:

• Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). If you suspect fraud or become a victim of a rental scam, contact the FTC immediately. You can report rental scams and any other kinds of fraud on the FTC website at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
  
• Contact law local enforcement. Report the suspected fraud to law enforcement in the community where the rental property is listed.
  
• Contact the site where the listing was found. Notifying the site where the listing was posted allows the owner of a legitimate website to take down the fraudulent listing and prevent other potential tenants from falling victim to the same scam.
  

When you’re planning a move, be on the lookout for signs of rental fraud. Learning how to spot and report housing scams can help you feel confident when it comes time to search for the rental property of your dreams.

Get your free credit score today!

We get it, credit scores are important. A monthly free credit score & Equifax credit report are available with Equifax Core Credit TM . No credit card required.