Rental Scams Are on the Rise

Leasing scams are on the rise. In a recent scam, the scammer copied a Zillow ad for an apartment for rent and created a fake Craigslist ad. The prospective tenant called and met a person he thought was the owner, filled out an application, and wired the deposit plus the first month’s rent, more than $18,000.

When he showed up a couple of weeks later to pick up keys, he found the apartment was occupied by another tenant… he’d been scammed.

How renters can protect themselves

• Confirm that the person showing the unit owns or manages it. Property records and a call to the management company help.
• Never wire money or pay with gift cards. Pay a deposit only after you’ve seen the unit and signed a lease.
• Be wary of rent well below the market, or pressure to pay before you’ve toured.

How owners can protect their listings

• While the unit is on the market, search for your photos and address on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
• Put your company name or a watermark on listing photos.
• State in every listing how you accept payments, so a different method stands out.

If your rental is coming up for lease, call me…

Originally published in The Trusted Advisor, August 2026.