Rental Scams Targeting Online Apartment Seekers, FTC Warns

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning renters about online scams targeting those searching for apartments on community group pages.

Scammers exploit the convenience of online listings, preying on people looking for a new place to live.

“Scammers go where people are looking,” said Sammi Nachtigal, an attorney with the FTC’s Cleveland office. “Since many renters use online community groups to find places, that’s become a prime target.”

These scams can take two main forms:

• Fake Listings: Scammers steal legitimate rental listings from other websites, copying photos, descriptions, and addresses. They then replace the contact information with their own.
• Fabricated Listings: Scammers create entirely fictitious listings with made-up addresses, photos, and descriptions. They might even use a real address that is not actually available for rent.

Regardless of the method, the goal is the same: pressure renters into paying application fees, deposits, or rent upfront, before they see the property or sign a lease agreement.

“They’ll try to rush you,” Nachtigal explained. “They’ll pressure you to send money quickly, claiming they have other offers.”

Once the money is sent, the scammer disappears with the funds. Tracking them down afterwards is often very difficult.

To protect yourself, the FTC advises renters to do their homework.

“Research the address, rental agency, and even the photos online,” Nachtigal said. “Use a search engine and include terms like ‘review,’ ‘scam,’ or ‘complaint’ along with the details you find.”

Most importantly, never send money beyond application fees until a lease agreement is signed. If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.