Help & Support

How can I tell if a rental listing is a scam?

Online apartment hunting is super convenient — but it also creates opportunities for scammers to take advantage of renters. While we do our best to keep listings safe and trustworthy, it’s important to stay alert and know the signs of a scam.

Note: We do not participate in any rental transactions and cannot refund money if you are scammed. Always take extra precautions when dealing with unfamiliar landlords or listings.

🚩 Common red flags to watch out for:

  • Too good to be true: The rent is unusually low for the area, or the place looks way nicer than other listings at that price.
  • Requests for wired money: Legit landlords won’t ask you to wire money, especially through services like Western Union or MoneyGram.
  • Third-party payment services: Be cautious if someone asks you to send money through another platform, like a fake Airbnb or escrow account.
  • Fake site affiliation: Scammers may pretend to be associated with our site. We’ll never ask you to send money or handle lease transactions.
  • Over-the-top urgency: The landlord claims to be out of the country and needs someone to sign ASAP — without showing you the place.
  • No in-person meeting: If the landlord refuses to meet or show you the unit, that’s a big red flag — even if they offer self-tours using lockboxes.

💡 Tip: Stay skeptical, ask questions, and don’t feel pressured to send money before seeing the place in person.

🔗 For more insights and real-life examples, visit the Avoid Scams & Fraud page to learn how to spot suspicious listings and keep yourself safe.

What to do if you think you've spotted a scam

If You Spot a Rental Scam

If you suspect a listing on this website is a scam, please let us know right away by clicking “Report an Issue” in the bottom-left corner of the listing page, and contact our customer support team with any details you have.

If you come across a rental scam elsewhere online, take the following steps:

  1. Stop communication – End all contact with the suspected scammer immediately.

  2. Report the listing – Flag the post on the platform where you found it and include as much detail as possible, such as what made you suspicious.

    Report to the authorities:

  3. Stop communication: Immediately stop engaging with the suspected scammer.
  4. Report the listing: Report the listing to the platform or website administrators as quickly as possible, including any details you have from the listing and what led you to believe it's a scam.
    • Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Submit a report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
    • Local law enforcement: File a report with your local police department.
    • FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): For online scams, go to ic3.gov.
  5. Document everything: Save copies of the emails, texts, or any other communications related to the scam in case you need them for further action.