Rental & Housing Scams

Rental and housing scams post attractive listings, often with photos copied from real ads, at below-market prices. The 'landlord' is usually away or abroad and asks for a deposit or first month's rent before any viewing, often by wire transfer, e-transfer, or gift card. Once the money is sent, the listing and contact disappear.

Common red flags

  • A landlord who cannot show the property in person or by live video
  • A request for a deposit or holding fee before any viewing
  • Rent that is unusually cheap for the area
  • Pressure to pay quickly because of 'other interested tenants'
  • Payment requested by wire transfer, e-transfer, or gift card

Rental scam guides

High risk Rental

Rental Deposit Scam

This scam advertises a desirable rental at a low price and demands a deposit before any viewing, then disappears once you pay.
Medium risk Rental

Rental Application Fee Scam

This scam uses a fake landlord or agent who asks for an upfront application, holding, or background-check fee, often by e-transfer or gift card, before any viewing, then disappears once the money is sent.
High risk Rental

Vacation Rental Scam

This scam uses a fake or hijacked holiday rental listing, often with copied photos and a below-market price, to pressure you into paying a deposit off-platform by bank transfer for a property that is not actually available.
High risk Rental

Cloned Rental Listing Scam

In this scam, someone copies a genuine rental listing's photos and description and reposts it at a lower price under their own contact details. They then ask for a deposit or first month's rent before any viewing, then disappear once paid.
High risk Rental

Rent-to-Own Scam

In this scam a fake or deceptive rent-to-own offer collects an upfront option fee or deposit and inflated rent toward a 'future purchase' that never happens, often for a property the scammer does not own or cannot sell.

Frequently asked questions

Should I ever pay a deposit before seeing a rental?
Avoid paying any deposit or fee before you have viewed the property and confirmed the landlord has the right to rent it. Legitimate landlords expect you to view first.
How can I tell if a listing is stolen?
Search the listing photos and text online. If the same images appear on other sites under different names or prices, it may be a copied or fake listing.
What payment methods are safest for rentals?
Be cautious with wire transfers, e-transfers, and gift cards, which are hard to reverse. Use traceable methods and get a signed agreement after viewing.

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Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.