As with many transactions today, rental scams can be a concern, leading to a costly, financially devastating situation for unsuspecting victims. Rental laws from state to state differ, but in all cases, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Common Types of Rental Scams

Many rental scams today put you at risk for identity theft or financial loss. Some prevalent rental scams include:

• Scammers avoid meeting in person. Instead, they urge you to pay, sign a lease, or make other commitments through online communication.
• They ask for a deposit without letting you view the property, often claiming high demand as the reason they can't wait.
• They pressure you to sign a lease before you can inspect the property.
• An offer might seem perfect, but the supposed landlord disappears once you share your contact details.
• The person leasing the property may ask for your Social Security number and other personal details to run a credit check before you've confirmed their legitimacy.
• Property photos that seem overly polished or mismatched with the neighborhood may be misleading.

Exercise caution whenever you come across an online rental listing, particularly on free platforms like Facebook or Craigslist. Many listings can be deceptive and designed to steal your personal information.

Protecting Yourself Online

There are steps you can take to protect yourself online:

• Be wary of providing personal information to unfamiliar online advertisers. Instead, communicate through trusted messaging platforms.
• Don't give out your phone number until you vet the property.
• Don't pay anyone online until you have vetted the property.
• There is no reason to pay a deposit before seeing it (even if they say that's the only way to hold the property for you).
• Avoid giving anyone access to your social media accounts or bank accounts.

Viewing the Property

Don't agree to anything or provide personal information until you view the property. That means you will see the property in person and take a tour of it. Property owners should agree to provide a tour as a first step before requiring you to make any offer or agree to a contract.

Never go to the property alone. Always take one or two other people with you to ensure your safety. Don't be pressured into signing something at the property. You want time to review the lease terms and conditions.

Understanding Your Rights

Rental laws differ from one state to the next, but there are several things you can keep in mind:

• You cannot be discriminated against when being considered for a property.
• You cannot be forced to sign documents you don't want to.
• You have the right to have an attorney review your lease before you sign it.

Secure Payments

When it comes to paying for the property, verify the process. Most of the time, you should be able to set up electronic transfers or, in some cases, pay by check. You should avoid paying with cash, even for a deposit, since there is no verifiable track record when you do.

Avoid using cash payment apps that do not provide a way for you to protect yourself. For example, with services like CashApp, you may not have protections for your money if it is a scam. Instead, use a service like PayPal that provides you credit protection (depending on how you pay).

Verifying Documentation

Before you agree to any lease, though, you need to verify documentation. Have the lease reviewed by your attorney or a financial advisor. Your bank can help you, too. You also want to get the name and contact information of the property manager. You should verify their information as well. Takes some time to research this information to verify its accuracy. Even a simple Google search can offer some insight.

Reporting Scams

If you believe you have been a victim of any rental theft, take action immediately:

• Contact any connected payment providers, like your bank account or credit card companies.
• File a police report locally.
• If the property came from an online posting, contact the listing website to inform them of the scam.
• Contact the Federal Trade Commission to file a report.
• You can also file a claim through IC3, the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Takeaways

• Rental scams are common and often happen online.
• Know what the risks are and be aggressive about protecting your rights.
• Never give money or your bank information to anyone you haven't vetted.