What is a Rental Scam?
Rental scams are schemes where someone attempts to defraud your money under the guise of offering for rental. They’ll try to get you to pay for a security deposit or move-in fee without ever seeing the apartment or rental unit, and they’ll keep the money without any intention of renting a unit to you.
Signs of Rental Scam
Rental Picture looks true
The property sometimes shows beautifully renovated rentals at a price that’s below the market average. Always see the property before signing a lease or paying a deposit.
Rental Listing Has Errors
Listings that have grammatical errors and other formatting errors may be created by scammers. Look for inconsistencies in the text of rental ads. These are the red flags of housing scams.
Pressured to Lease
If an agent is pressuring you to sign a contract to see the rental, you should raise a suspicion. The agent may not want to meet you or may not have the rental property.
How to Avoid Rental Scams
Here are some ways to avoid rental scams:
· Always request for a tour
· Skip listings that look suspicious
· Ask to speak to the property owner
· Avoid sending money
What to do If You Suspect You’ve Been Scammed
If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to a rental scam and you’ve sent money by check or wire, contact your bank immediately to see if you can stop payment. Next, you can file a complaint with your local police station, the FBI, or the FTC.
