Rental scams have been on the rise, with the FBI receiving over 12,000 complaints in 2025, resulting in losses of over $275 million. These scams often involve fake listings on real estate websites and social media platforms, targeting individuals who are desperate to find a place to live.

How the Scams Work

Scammers will often copy photos and property descriptions from legitimate listings and post them on other websites or social media platforms. They may also use professional-looking videos and AI tools to make the listing appear more convincing. Once a potential renter responds, the scammer will ask for an application fee or deposit, which is often non-refundable.

To avoid falling victim to these scams, it’s essential to be cautious when renting. Look out for listings that seem too good to be true, and never send money without verifying the owner or property manager’s identity. Check the property’s history, and search for reviews or complaints about the owner or property manager.

Protecting Yourself

The Federal Trade Commission recommends searching the full address of the property using multiple search engines and looking for older sales pages or active rental advertisements. Compare the photos, monthly rent, and contact details to ensure they match. If another agent or property management company appears, contact them directly using the number on their official website.

Visit the property in person before sending an application fee or deposit. If you can’t attend in person, ask a trusted friend to attend the showing. A live video call can provide more confidence than a pre-recorded tour, but verify the person conducting the tour. Check the county assessor’s property records for the owner’s name, and ask the landlord for identification and documentation showing they can rent the property.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.