How rental scams usually go.
Twelve patterns, each with how it unfolds, a sample message we wrote to show the wording, what to do, and the official sources. Patterns, never people.
Nearly 65,000 rental scam reports to the FTC, with about $65 million in losses, January 2020 to June 2025. The median reported loss was $1,000.
The FBI’s IC3 logged 12,368 real-estate fraud complaints and $275,110,419 in losses in 2025. That is all real-estate fraud, not only rentals.
The hijacked listing
A real home’s photos and description, reposted with the scammer’s phone number.
How it goesThe owner who is out of the country
A landlord who can’t meet you, a story about why, and keys that will come by mail.
How it goesThe fake self-guided tour
A lockbox code gets you inside, which feels like proof. It isn’t.
How it goesThe “$1 credit check”
A link to “check your credit for $1” that signs you up for a paid membership.
How it goesZelle to a relative
The money goes by app to someone other than the owner, before there is a lease.
How it goesThe holding fee before a viewing
A fee to “hold” or “reserve” a home you haven’t been inside.
How it goesRental scams on Facebook
The most-reported platform for rental scams, per the FTC: listings in Marketplace and groups.
How it goesRental scams on Craigslist
Copied listings with new contact details, an email-only owner and pressure to pay.
How it goesFake application links that borrow a listing site’s name
A message links to an “application” on a look-alike page that collects your details or a fee.
How it goesThe too-good-to-be-true rent
A rent far below the area pulls in more replies and less scrutiny.
How it goesKeys by mail
Pay first, and the keys will arrive by courier. They won’t.
How it goesFor owners and landlords
Before-You-Pay checks how you’re being asked to pay, quotes the triggers from your own text, and keeps it on your device.