Guides

Important Notes: 

• Greystar Real Estate Partners has been made aware that there are rental scammers using Greystar’s name.
• If you have been affected by a scam or have been contacted in relation to tax services, please follow the steps the US government outlines and report it.
• Refer to our safeguarding tips below for more information on how to identify rental scams.

Finding your dream apartment should be a fun adventure, but online rental scams can turn your housing search into a costly nightmare. At Greystar, we're committed to helping prospective tenants understand the warning signs of fraudulent listings and providing tools to verify legitimate opportunities. We’ll show you how to spot rental scams, do a little digging, and what steps to take if anything feels suspicious

How rental scam ads work

Apartment scams typically begin with fake listings on popular rental websites or social media platforms like Craigslist and Facebook. Scammers often copy legitimate property listings, including photos and descriptions, but alter contact information and pricing to lure you in. These scam artists typically take advantage of renters' excitement by creating a sense of urgency or offering deals that seem too good to resist. The goal of these fake listings is to collect application fees, security deposits, or personal information like social security numbers that can be used for identity theft.

How to know a rental is a scam

Scammers often follow predictable patterns that can be detected if you know what to look for during your apartment search. The following indicators can help you quickly distinguish between legitimate rental opportunities and potential scams before you invest time or money.

1. The opportunity is too good to be true

When a listing shows a luxury apartment at significantly below-market rates, your internal alarm should immediately sound. Scammers deliberately create such listings to generate interest and cultivate a sense of urgency among potential victims. Properties with amenities, locations, and square footage that would typically command premium prices but are advertised at suspiciously low rent deserve extra scrutiny before you pursue them further.

Rental price discrepancies can be subtle or dramatic depending on the scammer's approach. Some fraudsters research just enough to set prices slightly below market rates to seem like a great deal without triggering immediate suspicion, while others advertise dramatically lower prices to attract maximum attention. Either way, if the rate seems unusually favorable compared to similar listings in the area, take this as your first indication that additional verification steps are necessary before proceeding.

2. The person listing the rental is unwilling to meet

A property manager or property owner who refuses to meet in person or arrange a showing of the property is exhibiting classic scammer behavior. This red flag shouldn't be ignored. Legitimate real estate agents or property managers will always be willing to tour the property with qualified prospects, whether in person or virtually. When your requests to view the property are consistently deflected, it's likely you're dealing with someone who doesn't actually have access to the property.

Professional property managers at companies make it easy for prospects to look at apartment options. However, scammers frequently impersonate property owners or managers from reputable companies. If you express interest in a property but face resistance when trying to schedule a tour or the listing contact insists you must first send money or complete applications, something is off. Legitimate property managers and property managers want you to see what you're renting before committing to it financially.

3. The lease looks incomplete

Professional property management companies provide comprehensive lease agreement documents that clearly outline all terms, responsibilities, and requirements. When reviewing a potential lease, be wary of documents that lack proper formatting, contain multiple spelling or grammatical errors, or omit standard sections covering security deposits, maintenance responsibilities, or utility arrangements.

Before signing anything, give the lease a close look. Watch for missing or incorrect details—like the property address, rent amount, or lease term. A legitimate lease should clearly outline the basics. If important information is left out, the language feels vague, or something doesn’t add up, it could be a sign of a scam.

4. Requests for deposits via payment apps or wire transfers

Requests to wire money through unconventional channels should raise immediate concerns. Legitimate property management companies have established, secure payment systems for handling application fees and deposits, typically through online resident portals or other traceable methods. Being asked to send money through peer-to-peer payment apps, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers should immediately raise concerns about the legitimacy of the transaction. These payment methods offer little or no consumer protection and make it virtually impossible to recover funds once they're sent.

How to evaluate rental listings

Finding your perfect home requires careful research to ensure you're working with legitimate property managers and avoiding potential rental application scams. Before providing any sensitive information or making financial commitments, it's important to verify the authenticity of both the listing and the person managing it. Taking these extra verification steps can save you from becoming a victim of rental fraud and protect your financial information.

1. Confirm the property listing is legitimate

Carefully examine multiple sites for the same property listing. Check that the listing appears consistently across multiple platforms and contains identical information about pricing, features, and contact details. Scammers often modify legitimate listings by changing contact information and pricing while keeping other details intact, so any inconsistencies should be treated as a red flag. Be sure to view the official website of property management companies rather than relying solely on third-party listing services.

2. Verify the identity of the listing contact

Verify that the person you are dealing with is a legitimate property manager or agent. Not all property managers are required to hold licenses, but those working for established companies should be able to provide business cards, employee identification, or other verification of their affiliation with the property management company.

Furthermore, communicating with the rental company through official channels rather than using the phone number or email provided in the listing can smoke out impostors. This simple step can quickly reveal whether the person you've been communicating with is actually affiliated with the property. Legitimate conditional approval processes are handled by authorized leasing professionals who can be reached through official company contact information, not through personal email addresses or unverifiable phone numbers.

3. Visit the property in person, or send someone you trust

In-person visits to tour property locations can confirm that the property exists as advertised and is actually available for rent. During your visit, verify that the person showing the unit has legitimate access to the property and appears knowledgeable about building policies and features. Professional leasing agents will be able to answer specific questions from prospective tenants about the community, amenities, and application process without hesitation or inconsistency.

4. Use trusted sources for any exchange of money

Legitimate application fee payments should only be made through secure, traceable methods that are clearly associated with the management company. Legitimate property management companies have established payment systems — typically through secure online portals — for handling application fees, security deposits, and monthly rent payments. These systems provide proper documentation and receipts for all transactions, creating a clear paper trail for both parties.

Unusual payment requests, such as wire transfers, cashier checks, cryptocurrency, prepaid debit cards, or gift card payments, are strong indicators of rental property scams and should be avoided regardless of the explanation provided.

Report problems

Help others avoid rental scams and report suspicious listings immediately. If you encounter a questionable listing or communication, report it to the website where it appears, such as Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or Zillow, using their built-in reporting tools. These platforms typically have procedures for investigating and removing fraudulent content.

You can also report fraud directly to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and contact your state attorney general's office to handle consumer protection issues. When filing reports, provide as much detailed information as possible, including screenshots of the listing, copies of communications, and any other evidence that might help investigators identify the perpetrators of these home rental scams.

When searching for your next home, take advantage of reputable resources and work with established property management companies with verifiable track records. If you encounter any suspicious activity during your apartment search, don't hesitate to step back and verify before proceeding. By staying informed and cautious, you can enjoy a smooth, secure transition to your new home without falling victim to increasingly sophisticated rental fraud schemes and other rental scams.