To help you better recognize and know how to avoid rental scams, we\u2019ve put together this comprehensive guide with everything you need to know about such traps.<\/p>\n
Navigate the contents:<\/strong><\/p>\n According to the U.S. government, a\u00a0rental scam<\/a> is when \u201ceither a property owner or potential tenant misrepresents themselves\u201d through false ads, applications and so on. While there are other types of scams, today we\u2019ll focus on how to spot rental scams as a potential tenant and how to protect yourself against such risks. Unfortunately, there are a variety of ways in which scammers try to steal your money, primarily through either a non-existent rental or via a stolen ad from another website.<\/p>\n Among the various types of rental scams to watch out for are hijacked ads and phantom rentals. These are often prominent on Craigslist, where there are no filters to help you find legitimate listings.<\/p>\n In some cases, scammers will steal an ad from an existing rental and revise the contact information so that you reach them when trying to contact the owner. These copycat ads will appear on different websites, as well, so make sure you check to see whether the internet listing service you\u2019re using has trustworthy listings.<\/p>\n Another way scammers hijack ads is by gaining access to the email accounts of various property owners. Therefore, it\u2019s important to confirm who you are talking to.<\/p>\n Other scammers simply create a fake ad on a non-existent rental and promote it as real. Typically, these are the ones that have a significantly lower rent than average or amenities that should raise the price. If an offer looks too good to be true, find out what caused that drop in price and always check out the apartment with your own eyes before committing and sending any money.<\/span><\/p>\n Another scam that\u2019s common on Craigslist is illegal subletting. Be careful about this one. Unlike the others, these scammers will have access to a rental to show you \u2014 but they\u2019re not the legitimate owners and have no right to rent it to you. To avoid this situation, check if the apartment is managed by a reputable company.<\/span><\/p>\n There are plenty of other ways in which you can be deceived into thinking a rental is legitimate when, in fact, the person you\u2019re talking to has no intention of renting it to you. If you want to know how to avoid rental scams<\/a>, it’s firstly important to know how to spot them. Pay attention to these red flags when discussing a rental with a potential landlord:<\/span><\/p>\n Scammers usually steer clear of meeting with you because they want to minimize the chance of being identified. As such, they will refuse to meet with you in person or \u2014 in the context of the pandemic \u2014 even show their face during a video call. This is a red flag because a legitimate landlord would want to meet their potential tenant and evaluate you, as well, in order to establish the required level of trust between the owner and the occupant of a home.<\/span><\/p>\n A major warning sign is when someone asks you for money up-front \u2014 before you\u2019ve signed anything. For instance, a scammer might claim that they\u2019re not in the country and require you to mail them money with the promise that they\u2019ll mail you back a key. Don\u2019t do it. Instead, cease all communications and report it as a scam. Furthermore, wait to pay your security deposit, rent, and any other fees until after you\u2019ve signed a lease.<\/span><\/p>\n Another common type of scam is related to credit reports. Specifically, some scammers ask their unknowing victims to obtain a credit report through a link they send you in an email. The link then redirects the renter to a screening company, where the renter is supposed to pay for their evaluation via credit card. Consequently, the scammers get a commission through the referral campaign, although they clearly have no intention of renting to you \u2014 if the rental you\u2019re applying for even exists.<\/span><\/p>\n As a renter, you should be prepared to undergo a screening process involving your credit, as well as a background check. If there is no such process for the property you want to rent, that should raise a lot of questions. Landlords are very diligent about vetting prospective tenants, and you want a landlord who is concerned and experienced. Conversely, a landlord who skips the rental application and credit check is not going to have either of those traits.<\/span><\/p>\n If the listing itself has typos, excessive punctuation or grammatical errors, that might also be a sign that it\u2019s fraudulent. Professional property managers or serious landlords will have an accurate, quality description. So, if the listing is poorly written, chances are that you\u2019re dealing with a scammer. Be especially careful about the supposed deal if it\u2019s paired with a price that is much lower than the average rent for a similar unit.<\/span><\/p>\n Not all apartment websites are created equal, so be sure to use one where scammers are not able to post listings. To ease your mind, it’s best to use a website like rentcafe.com<\/a>, where listings come directly from property managers. Also, the apartments and single-family rentals listed on rentcafe.com are provided by property management companies, not posted by individual owners.<\/p>\n Property management companies\u2019 websites are also a trusted place to browse for apartments. Many property managers publish detailed information on rental listings on their own websites. If you want to check on a specific apartment building, a good place to research, verify and get additional information is the property website itself.<\/p>\n Scammers may also hijack ads from trusted websites and post them on less-secure websites. If you come across a listing with a low price or one that seems too good to be true, you can do a reverse Google image search of the property to see if it appears on multiple websites under different names or displaying different information.<\/p>\n If after a reverse Google search you find that the rent price listed on the property manager’s website is different than in the ad you found, you should report the suspicious ad to the local authorities. Furthermore, property managers\u2019 websites will often have a resource page for renters, including practical advice on how to avoid rental scams.<\/p>\n The best way to prevent yourself from falling for a scam is to meet the landlord and see the apartment, even virtually, before you sign the lease. Be prepared to ask questions related to the rental and the community \u2014 such as details about payments, maintenance requests and refund policies \u2014 and assess the answers you get.<\/p>\n\n
What is a Rental Scam?<\/h2>\n
Types of Rental Scams<\/h2>\n
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How to Spot a Rental Scam<\/h2>\n
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How to Avoid Rental Scams<\/h2>\n
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