What we verified in “How to avoid rental scams: the signs and what to do”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. The FTC describes two patterns of fake rental ads: scammers copy the pictures, description or virtual tour from a real listing and repost it with their own contact details, or they advertise places that are not for rent or do not exist, with surprisingly low rent or amazing amenities; the fake owner often claims to be out of the country and rushes you.

   Sources 1 · Rental Listing Scams (June 2026), 'How Rental Scam Ads Work': 'Scammers copy the pictures, description, or virtual tour from a real online rental listing'; 'The fake ads might offer surprisingly low rent or amazing amenities' · Checked October 16, 2026

2. According to the FTC, the signs of a scam are: rent much lower than typical rents in the area; pressure to decide quickly; a home listed for sale rather than for rent ('a big red flag'); an owner who will not show the property and makes excuses; insisting on payment by wire transfer (Western Union or MoneyGram), gift cards or cryptocurrency; asking for your Social Security number, a photo of your license or your pay stubs before you have agreed to rent (or screenshots of your credit score, which can lead to a paid monitoring subscription); and other ads showing the same address under a different owner or company name.

   Sources 1 · Rental Listing Scams (June 2026), 'Signs of a Scam': rent 'much lower than typical rents'; 'pressures you to decide quickly'; 'listed for sale' ('a big red flag'); 'won't show the property'; 'wire transfer… gift cards, or cryptocurrency'; 'Social Security number, license photo, or pay stubs before you've agreed to rent'; 'same address under a different owner' · Checked October 16, 2026

3. To avoid them, the FTC recommends searching online for the address together with the owner's or company's name; checking whether the property appears on the company's own website; searching that name with the words 'complaint', 'review' or 'scam'; comparing the price with other rents in the area; looking at the property before you sign or pay (in person, through a friend or by video, though that is no guarantee either); verifying the agent or landlord (a business card from the company, an ID and, for private landlords, the city or county tax assessment records); not giving personal or financial details to anyone claiming to work with the owner; and remembering that landlords do not need your Social Security number or credit score before you agree to rent.

   Sources 1 · Rental Listing Scams (June 2026), 'How to Avoid Scams': 'Search online for the rental location's address along with the name of the property owner or rental company'; 'complaint', 'review', 'scam'; 'Look at the property before you sign or pay'; 'check city or county tax assessment websites'; 'Landlords don't need your Social Security number or credit score before you agree to rent' · Checked October 16, 2026

4. The FTC says paying by wire transfer, gift cards or cryptocurrency is 'the same as sending cash': once the money is sent, you probably cannot get it back.

   Sources 1 · Rental Listing Scams (June 2026), 'How to Avoid Scams', payment: wire transfers, gift cards and cryptocurrency are 'the same as sending cash' · Checked October 16, 2026

5. The FTC asks you to report rental listing scams to local law enforcement, to the website where the ad was posted, to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your state attorney general.

   Sources 1 · Rental Listing Scams (June 2026), 'Report Rental Scams': local law enforcement; the website where the ad was posted; ReportFraud.ftc.gov; state attorney general · Checked October 16, 2026

6. According to the FTC's analysis, from January 2020 through June 2025 people reported nearly 65,000 rental scams with about $65 million in losses and a median reported loss of $1,000; about half said it started with a fake ad on Facebook and another 16% on Craigslist; people ages 18 to 29 were three times more likely than other adults to report losing money; scammers ask for money up front: application fees, security deposits, first month's rent to 'hold' a property and $1 credit-check sign-ups that turn into recurring fees.

   Sources 2 · Data Spotlight 'Rental scams hit home with $65 million in reported losses' (December 22, 2025): 'nearly 65,000 rental scams… about $65 million in losses'; 'median reported loss amount… $1,000'; 'about half… fake ad on Facebook'; '16%… Craigslist'; 'ages 18 to 29 were three times more likely' · Checked October 16, 2026

7. The FTC's August 2025 alert repeats: do not send money if a landlord says you can only pay with cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency or a wire transfer; anyone who demands that you pay those ways is a scammer, and after you send the money it is hard to get it back; check out the listing in person if possible, look up the owner's or company's name with words like 'scam', look for hidden fees and report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

   Sources 3 · 'Moving this summer? Watch for rental scams' (August 18, 2025): 'Be careful how you pay'; 'Anyone who demands that you pay these ways is a scammer'; 'Look for hidden fees'; 'Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov' · Checked October 16, 2026

8. According to the CFPB, landlords use tenant screening reports that may include credit reports, rental history (including eviction actions and lawsuits), employment verification, criminal history and a risk score or recommendation; under federal law, if you are denied housing because of such a report they must tell you, give you the contact information of the company that made it, and tell you of your right to dispute the information and your right to a free copy if you request it within 60 days.

   Sources 4 · What is a tenant screening report? (last reviewed July 1, 2021): report contents; 'Your right to dispute the information in the report'; 'Your right to a free copy of that report if you make the request within 60 days' · Checked October 17, 2026

9. The FTC explains that if a landlord rejects your application, charges you higher rent, requires a co-signer or a larger deposit because of your report, they must give you an adverse action notice (written, electronic or verbal) with the reporting company's details; the company must give you a free copy if you ask within 60 days, and you can dispute errors.

   Sources 5 · Tenant Background Checks and Your Rights: 'If a landlord takes an adverse action…'; 'you have 60 days to request a free copy' · Checked October 16, 2026

10. According to the CFPB, under federal law a landlord who denies your application because of information in a tenant screening report must tell you; that adverse action notice can be given in writing, orally or electronically, and must give you the name, address and phone number of the company that provided the report, explain your right to a free copy if you request it within 60 days and your right to dispute inaccurate information; requiring a co-signer, or a larger deposit or higher rent than other applicants, is also an adverse action; the company generally has 30 days to investigate your dispute, and in some cases 45; and if you think you were discriminated against because of your race, color, national origin (country of origin or ancestry), religion, sex, familial status (families with children or pregnancy) or disability, you can file a complaint with HUD.

    Sources 6 · What should I do if my rental application is denied because of a tenant screening report? (modified October 30, 2025): 'is required to inform you of that fact'; 'Be given in writing, orally, or electronically'; 'Provide the name, address, and phone number of the company that provided the report'; 'Explain your right to a free copy of the report, if you request it within 60 days of the adverse action'; 'Explain your right to dispute inaccurate information'; 'Requiring a co-signer on the rental agreement or lease'; 'Requiring a larger deposit or a higher rent payment than other applicants'; 'generally has 30 days to investigate your dispute'; 'in some cases they have 45 days'; 'national origin (country of origin or ancestry)'; 'familial status (families with children or pregnancy)'; 'you can file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development' · Checked October 17, 2026

11. According to the CFPB's list of consumer reporting companies, tenant screening companies give landlords information such as credit history, evictions, rent payment history, identity, income and employment verification, and criminal background; a report with negative information can lead to a rejected application, or to approval with tough conditions such as paying months of rent in advance or a higher security deposit; most of these companies have no information on you until you apply for rental housing; a credit report is a common part of screening, so it pays to check it in advance; landlords may pull it as a 'hard' inquiry, which could lower your scores, something to keep in mind if you send several applications; and if you are rejected or accepted with conditions such as a co-signer, a larger deposit or higher rent, the landlord must give you an adverse action notice naming the company it used.

    Sources 7 · List of consumer reporting companies (modified March 13, 2025), 'Tenant screening' section: 'Tenant screening companies provide information such as credit history, eviction information, rent payment history, identity verification, income and employment verification, and criminal background data to landlords'; 'could result in a rejected lease application'; 'a requirement that you pay months of additional rent in advance or a higher security deposit'; 'Most tenant screening companies won’t have information on you unless you apply for rental housing'; 'a credit report is a common component of tenant screening'; 'landlords may request your credit report as a “hard” inquiry; doing so could lower your credit scores'; 'submit multiple lease applications with different landlords'; 'must provide you with an adverse action notice that includes the name(s) of the consumer reporting company it used to screen you' · Checked October 17, 2026

12. According to the CFPB, common warning signs of fraud are someone asking for money or personal information, pressuring you to act quickly or pretending to be a person or organization you trust, and asking you to use unusual payment methods such as gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or payment apps; it recommends walking away if you do not have time to read the details, ask questions or get advice before agreeing, asking for information in writing and reading it carefully, and verifying with contact information you know belongs to that person.

    Sources 8 · What are some classic warning signs of possible fraud and scams? (modified August 31, 2026): 'someone asking for money or personal information, pressuring you to act quickly, or pretending to be a person or organization you trust'; 'unusual payment methods, like gift cards, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or payment apps'; 'Walk away if you don’t have time to read the details, ask questions, or get advice before agreeing'; 'Ask for information in writing and read it carefully'; 'Use contact information you know is theirs' · Checked October 17, 2026

13. The CFPB explains that scammers often ask for payment in ways that are hard to trace or recover, such as wire transfers, gift cards, mobile apps or cryptocurrency; that you should use payment apps only with people you know and trust; and that if you think you sent money to a scammer by money transfer or app, you should contact your bank or the payment company right away to say there may have been an unauthorized transaction; you can also file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov).

    Sources 9 · What are some common types of fraud and scams? (modified August 31, 2026): 'They often ask for payment in ways that are hard to trace or recover, such as wire transfers, gift cards, mobile apps, or cryptocurrency'; 'Use mobile payment apps only with people you know and trust'; 'contact your bank or the payment company right away'; 'there may have been an unauthorized transaction'; 'FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov' · Checked October 17, 2026

14. According to the CFPB, if you think you are a scam victim, contact the FBI, the FTC, your state attorney general or your local police: report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov; find your attorney general's office through the National Association of Attorneys General website; call the police or sheriff on their nonemergency number; and always use trusted websites and phone numbers.

    Sources 10 · Who do I contact for help with a scam or fraud? (modified August 31, 2026): 'contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), your state attorney general, or your local police'; 'Report the fraud or scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or FBI Internet Crimes Complaint Center at ic3.gov'; 'National Association of Attorneys General'; 'using their nonemergency phone number or website'; 'using trusted websites and phone numbers' · Checked October 17, 2026

15. The CFPB warns that scammers are targeting people who are looking for rental assistance, and that local experts can help for free or at a low cost: you may qualify for free legal aid based on your income, and HUD's housing counseling program can be reached at 800-569-4287.

    Sources 11 · Help for renters (modified December 12, 2024): 'Scammers are targeting people who are looking for rental assistance'; 'There are local experts who can help, for free, or at a low cost'; 'You may qualify for free legal aid, based on your income'; 'Call 800-569-4287 or find a housing counselor' · Checked October 17, 2026

16. According to the CFPB, if you are a victim of identity theft, close compromised accounts, report the theft to local police and at IdentityTheft.gov, and place fraud alerts or security freezes on your credit reports; a fraud alert requires creditors to make sure it is you before they open a new account; asking one of the three nationwide companies is enough, since it must notify the others; an initial alert lasts one year; and with it you can order one free copy of your credit report from each nationwide company.

    Sources 12 · What do I do if I am a victim of identity theft? (modified August 3, 2026): 'close compromised accounts, report the theft to both local police and at IdentityTheft.gov, place fraud alerts or security freezes on your credit reports'; 'requiring creditors to make sure it’s you before they open a new account'; 'it must notify the others'; 'Credit reporting companies keep that alert on your file for one year'; 'you get to order one free copy of your credit report from each of the nationwide credit reporting companies' · Checked October 17, 2026

17. The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to refuse to rent a dwelling, or otherwise make it unavailable, because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status or national origin, and also because of disability.

    Sources 13 · 42 U.S.C. §3604(a) and (f): 'to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin' · Checked October 17, 2026

18. A housing discrimination complaint is filed with HUD not later than one year after the alleged discriminatory housing practice occurred or terminated.

    Sources 14 · 42 U.S.C. §3610(a)(1)(A)(i): 'not later than one year after an alleged discriminatory housing practice has occurred or terminated' · Checked October 17, 2026

19. HUD-approved housing counselors provide independent advice on buying a home, renting, defaults and credit issues, often free or at low cost.

    Sources 15 · Find a Housing Counselor: 'Housing counselors throughout the country can provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, forbearances, foreclosures, and credit issues'; 'often at little or no cost to you' · Checked October 17, 2026