A guide to recognizing and avoiding rental scams.

Quick tips to avoid rental scams when you’re searching for a rental.

Here are a few tips on how to catch a rental scammer and stop them from ripping anyone else off by reporting rental scams:

Check out the apartment yourself (or send a trusted friend) to make sure it is what’s been advertised.

Check out the rental company.

Recommended for you

No one wants to learn that the rental they were touring was a scam.

Read documents carefully, and don’t transfer any money until you’re confident in the landlord or broker.

If the landlord insists you pay a fee or deposit before they show you the place, keep looking.

This means knowing how to spot and avoid rental scams, especially online.

Need more space than an apartment, condo or townhouse can offer, but not ready to buy?

But using trusted sites and knowing the red flags before signing a lease can help you avoid being a victim of a rental scam.

10 red flags to look out for.

Make sure to report.

File a complaint with the ic3 :

Check ownership and licensing of landlord/property manager.

As a renter, it’s important to know how to protect yourself against those who may try to take your money fraudulently.

Those are signs of a scam.

Dealing in cash is a bad start

1) you’re having trouble contacting the landlord or leasing agent.

How to avoid rental scams:

Search their website to see if the property is listed there, too.

That’s most likely a scammer.

Always make sure to see the inside of the property.

Do other ads come up for the same address?

Maybe with a different owner or rental company name?

You may also like

Rental scams can be daunting but don't swear off real estate websites just yet.

Search online for the rental’s address, plus the name of the property owner or rental company listed.

When possible, meet in person.

Learn how to spot a rental scam and safely search for your next property.

Phone numbers alone can be spoofed, so corroborate authenticity with supplemental info.

6 common rental scams and tips for avoiding them.

The ic3, or internet crime complaint center, is a government agency that makes it easy for individuals to report a crime that takes place online.

We prepared an ultimate list of tips that will teach you how to spot a rental scammer while looking for a perfect place, and we’re ready to make a real homegrown renting expert out of you.