Rental Scam
Fake landlords take deposits for apartments that don't exist.
Severity: MediumPrevalence: CommonLast Updated: 2026-02-10
Channels
Target Audiences
How It Works
Scammers list attractive apartments or rooms at below-market prices on popular rental websites and social media groups. The listings use stolen photos of real properties. When interested renters reach out, the scammer demands a deposit or first month's rent before any in-person viewing, often claiming high demand or that they are abroad. After payment is made, the listing disappears and the scammer is unreachable. In some cases, the scammer may conduct a fake "video tour" to seem more legitimate.
Red Flags
- Refusal to show property in person before payment – insistence on deposits before viewing is a major warning sign.
- Requests for deposit or rent payment upfront via wire transfer or untraceable methods.
- Prices too good to be true – significantly below market rates for the area and property type.
Protect Yourself
- Never pay before viewing the property in person and verifying the landlord's identity.
- Verify property ownership through public records or ask for official documentation.
- Use trusted rental platforms that offer some level of buyer protection.
Visual Examples
What To Do If You've Been Scammed
- Contact your payment provider immediately to dispute the charge and attempt recovery.
- Report the fraudulent listing to the platform where it was posted.
- File a police report with all evidence (messages, payment receipts, listing screenshots).