Rental scams: how to spot a fake listing before you pay
Quick answer
A rental listing with rent far below the local market, a landlord who can't show you the place and a request to pay a deposit by wire, gift card or crypto is a scam. Never pay to hold a place you haven't seen. Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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How it works
Rental scammers use two tricks. They copy a real listing and swap in their own contact details, or they advertise a home that isn't for rent at all.
The FTC says about 65,000 rental scams were reported since 2020, with roughly $65 million in losses, and that about half of the people who reported one in the 12 months to June 2025 said it began with a fake Facebook ad. Craigslist accounted for another 16%.
The script is usually the same:
- A great place at a low price. Rent sits well under what similar homes in the area cost.
- A reason you can't see it. The owner is traveling, overseas or "in the military", so someone will mail you the keys once you pay.
- Pressure to pay first. You're asked for an application fee, deposit or first month's rent to "hold" it, often by wire, gift card, cryptocurrency or a payment app.
- A credit check link. Some listings ask you to pay for a credit report or send a screenshot of your credit score. The FTC warns that legitimate landlords run credit checks themselves, and that such links can sign you up for paid memberships.
What they want is the money, and the personal details (ID, Social Security number, bank info) they collect on a fake application.
Red flags
- Rent far below similar listings nearby
- The owner can't meet you or show the home, in person or by live video
- You're asked to pay a deposit or fee before seeing the place
- Payment by wire, gift card, cryptocurrency or a payment app
- Pressure to decide fast because "other people are interested"
- You're asked to send a credit report screenshot or pay for a credit check through a link
Example message
Hi, thanks for your interest in the 2-bedroom. I'm out of the country for work so I can't show it, but I can mail you the keys once you send the deposit and first month's rent to hold it. Pay here: [link]. Several people are waiting, so please act today.
What to do
- 1
Check the listing before you reply
Search the address along with the owner or company name. If the same home shows up under different names, or as a sale listing, walk away. Check whether it appears on the rental company's own website.
- 2
Don't pay for a home you haven't seen
See it in person, or ask a local friend to, before any money moves. Real landlords don't ask for deposits by gift card, wire or crypto.
- 3
If you paid, call your bank or card issuer now
Tell them it was fraud and ask them to stop or reverse the payment. The sooner you call, the better the chance of stopping a transfer.
- 4
If you shared your ID or Social Security number, protect your identity
Change passwords for accounts you mentioned and consider a credit freeze with the three credit bureaus. Our guide on what to do after a data breach covers the steps.
- 5
Report the listing
Report it to the site or app where you found it, then to the FTC. Keep screenshots, messages and payment receipts.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Rental scammers write to people who answer listings, and some copy real landlords' details from public records. Phone numbers, emails and past addresses that sit on people-search sites make it easy to contact and pressure renters. Serus finds where your address, phone number and email are listed on data brokers and people-search sites and removes them, and alerts you when your details show up in a breach, so fewer scammers can reach you.
Frequently asked
How can I tell if a rental listing is fake?
The FTC points to rent far below the local market, an owner who can't show the place and pressure to pay before you see it. Search the address and owner name for conflicting listings.
Is it normal to pay a deposit before seeing a rental?
No. Paying to "hold" a place you haven't seen is the most common sign of a rental scam, especially by wire, gift card or crypto.
Can I get my money back after paying a rental scammer?
Call your bank or card issuer right away and report it to the FTC. Wires, gift cards and crypto are the hardest to recover.
Where do rental scams usually start?
The FTC says about half of rental scam reports in the 12 months to June 2025 began with a fake Facebook ad, and 16% with Craigslist.
Sources
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