Rental Scams Are Surging and Renters Are Paying the Price
Finding a place to live has never been more competitive, and scammers know it. According to a recent Federal Trade Commission analysis, tens of thousands of renters have already fallen victim to rental scams over the past few years, losing millions of dollars in the process. These scams often appear during stressful moments when people are racing to secure housing.
What makes rental scams especially dangerous is how realistic they look. Many fake listings borrow photos, descriptions, and addresses from real properties, creating a convincing illusion that lowers a renter’s guard. The FTC’s latest Consumer Protection Data Spotlight shows that these scams are not isolated incidents but part of a growing and evolving problem.
How Fake Rental Listings Fool Even Savvy Renters
The FTC reports that almost 65,000 rental scams have been reported since 2020, with losses totaling about 65 million dollars. Many of these scams begin with fake listings posted on popular platforms such as Facebook and Craigslist, where scammers can quickly reach large audiences.
Social media plays a significant role. In the twelve months ending June 2025, about half of people who reported a rental scam said it started with a fake ad on Facebook. Younger adults are particularly vulnerable. Renters ages 18 to 29 were three times more likely than other age groups to report losing money, likely due to frequent moves, tighter budgets, and reliance on online listings.
Common Tactics Scammers Use to Steal Money and Information
Rental scams are not limited to one playbook. The FTC has identified several recurring tactics that show up across reports.
- Pressuring renters to send deposits or application fees before seeing the property in person
- Asking for screenshots of credit scores and directing renters to affiliate credit check sites that may trigger recurring paid memberships
- Collecting sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers, paystubs, or driver’s licenses for identity theft
These tactics often come with urgency. Scammers claim there are multiple applicants or say they are out of town and cannot show the property, pushing renters to act quickly without verifying details.
Red Flags That Can Help You Avoid a Rental Scam
The FTC recommends several practical steps renters can take to protect themselves. One of the most effective ways is to search the rental address online. If the same property appears multiple times with different prices, contact details, or is listed for sale instead of rent, that is a strong warning sign.
Renters should also compare prices. If a listing is significantly cheaper than similar rentals in the same area, it may be bait. Scammers rely on deals that feel irresistible. Just as important, avoid sharing personal or financial information until you have toured the property and confirmed the landlord’s legitimacy.
What to Do If You Encounter or Fall Victim to a Rental Scam
If something feels off, trust that instinct and walk away. The FTC emphasizes that it will never demand payment, threaten you, or instruct you to transfer money. Consumers who encounter suspicious listings or lose money to a scam are encouraged to report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Reporting helps the FTC track patterns and warn others.
For more consumer education and up to date alerts, the FTC directs renters to consumer.ftc.gov, where guidance is regularly updated as scams evolve.