Online rental platforms have made apartment hunting easier, but they have also created new opportunities for scammers.
Knowing the most common scams can help renters protect themselves.
Common Rental Scams
- Fake listings copied from legitimate property websites
- Scammers pretending to be landlords who are “out of the country”
- Requests for deposits before a viewing
- Listings with unusually low rent to attract victims
- Fake property managers requesting application fees
- Listings using stolen photos from Airbnb or real estate websites
- Requests to continue communication outside official platforms
- Pressure to send money quickly to secure the apartment
- Fake lease agreements designed to appear legitimate
- Requests for payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency
Renters should always verify property ownership and avoid sending deposits without documentation.