Renters often turn to these platforms to find somewhere to live, and because listings aren’t typically verified, it can be hard to tell which ads aren’t legit. That means anyone can realistically become a target.

To attract interest, scammers usually list the property well below average market prices. Then, according to the FTC, once interested parties get in contact, the fraudsters begin asking for money upfront, requesting an application fee, security deposit or even the first month’s rent to “hold” the property. In some cases, scammers promise self-guided tours and claim they will send lockbox access codes after payment. Often, those codes are fabricated — or the fraudster disappears once money is sent.

Collecting deposits isn’t the only way scammers profit**.** The FTC warns that fake rental listings are also used to harvest personal information, including Social Security numbers and driver’s licenses, which can later be used for identity theft. Another tactic is asking renters to prove creditworthiness by directing them to credit-check websites that generate commissions for the scammer.

What makes these scams effective is speed and pressure. Renters are told the unit won’t be available for long and are urged to send money quickly to have a chance of securing it ahead of other interested parties.

In a market where affordable rentals are increasingly scarce, urgency can override caution, especially when a deal looks like a rare bargain (3).

Read More: The average net worth of Americans is a surprising $620,654. But it almost means nothing. Here’s the number that counts (and how to make it skyrocket)

For renters, the biggest red flags are:

Legitimate landlords typically price rentals in line with the local market and do not require payment to schedule a showing or request personal details before a formal application process begins.

Renters can also vet listings by checking the profile of the person who posted the ad. Does the account have a profile photo and a long history of activity, or was it recently created with only a handful of rental listings?

Another useful step is running an online search to confirm who owns the property. Many local property appraiser or assessor websites allow users to look up ownership by address.

Landlords have plenty to lose, but discovering your property is being offered for rent without your knowledge can be surprisingly difficult. Andrea Stoll found out from a phone call. Not everyone is so lucky.

Ways to potentially avoid this situation include:

Finally, if you encounter a suspicious listing, reach out to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and consider filing a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov. Prompt reporting can help authorities track scams and prevent others from falling victim.

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Tampa Bay 28 (1); Federal Trade Commission (2); Harvard Kennedy School (3)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.