The pressure to find affordable housing near campus can make a “perfect” listing feel urgent — and scammers take advantage of that sense of urgency with students. The Federal Trade Commission reports that people ages 18–29 are 3x more likely than other adults to report losing money to a rental scam.
Learn about rental listing scams and how to protect yourself from them while you’re on the search for housing.
1. Research and verify
Search the listing’s street address, landlord or management company name with phrases such as “reviews,” “complaints” or “scam.” Does anything concerning show up? Did you find the same place advertised with different prices, contact information or availability? Copied legitimate listings are a common scam tactic.
Also do your own search for the property management company’s official website. Call the number listed there to confirm the place you’re interested in is available and the person you’re communicating with works for the company.
2. See the apartment before paying
Tour the exact unit in person – not a similar model unit. If that is impossible because of your current circumstances (i.e., you’re studying abroad), ask a trusted local friend to tour it or arrange a live video walkthrough through a verified representative.
Offering only a prerecorded video or refusing a showing while requesting money is a major red flag.
3. Treat pressure as a warning, not a reason to hurry
Messages like three other people are interested, send the deposit tonight or I’m out of the country, but I can mail you the keys are designed to prevent you from checking the details and making a snap decision.
Renting off-campus housing is a big deal. Pause. Consult a trusted roommate, friend or family member for a second opinion before you act.
4. Compare rent with similar places
Deal feels too good to be true? Check several nearby listings with similar bedrooms and features. An unusually low price does not automatically prove fraud, but it should trigger extra verification.
5. Protect personal information during the application process
Fake applications can be used to collect Social Security numbers, driver’s license images, pay stubs and banking information for identity theft. Don’t provide any sensitive information until you’ve verified the landlord and listing are legitimate.
Ideally, the leasing company has a secure application portal you can use to submit your information. Question unexpected links. A common rental listing scam sends renters to a “$1 credit check” that quietly enrolls them in a recurring subscription.
6. Be cautious about how you pay
If the person you’re working with insists on a wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency, cash or person-to-person payment app to cover an application fee, deposit or first month’s rent, walk away. These payments can be difficult or impossible to recover.
Paying by credit card is best because it offers the strongest dispute protections if something goes wrong.
7. Read the lease and keep a paper trail
Before paying, make sure there is a written lease clearly identifying the actual property, landlord or management company, rent, deposit, fees and other terms. Save/screenshot the listing, emails, texts, receipts and payment confirmations.
Worried you were scammed?
These things happen. It’s important to act quickly:
- Contact your financial institution or payment provider immediately to ask whether the transaction can be stopped or disputed.
- Report the listing to the website, app or social media group where it appeared.
- Report the incident at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and, when appropriate, to local law enforcement.
- If sensitive personal information was shared, follow the identity-theft recovery steps at IdentityTheft.gov.
- In Wisconsin, residents can contact the DATCP Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-422-7128.
Once you know what you can afford and where you want to live, the next step is making sure the apartment — and the person offering it — are legitimate. Lean into resources like your university’s off-campus housing office or the tenant resource center. With a little thoughtful planning and research, you’ll find the next place to call home.
