High riskRental

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.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Rental listing scam
Main red flag
A request for a deposit or holding fee before you have viewed the property.
What to do first
Do not pay anything before viewing and verifying the landlord.

What this scam usually looks like

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

Rental scams advertise properties that are not available, not owned by the "landlord", or do not exist, to collect deposits and first-month rent from hopeful tenants. They pressure you to pay before viewing and to move money by transfer.

The single clearest warning sign to remember is this: A request for a deposit or holding fee before you have viewed the property. Do not pay anything before viewing and verifying the landlord.

Not sure this matches what you received? Compare it with the Fake Online Store Scam or the Facebook Marketplace Buyer Email Scam, browse the Rental & Housing Scams guides, or paste the exact message into our free scam checker.

By the numbers

Hundreds of millions
real-estate and rental fraud reported to the FBI runs into the hundreds of millions of dollars a year
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
$12.5B
total reported internet-crime losses in the US in 2023
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center

Example message pattern

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'I'm currently abroad so I can't show the apartment, but I can mail the keys once you send the first month's rent and deposit by e-transfer to hold it.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Why this is a red flag: A request for a deposit or holding fee before you have viewed the property.

Red flags to watch for

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

What to do

  • Insist on viewing the property before paying anything
  • Verify the landlord owns or manages the property
  • Search the listing photos to check they are not copied
  • Use traceable payment and get a signed agreement after viewing

If you already clicked or replied

  • Stop any further payments immediately
  • Contact your bank or e-transfer provider to try to recall the funds
  • Keep all messages, listings, and receipts as evidence
  • Report the listing to the platform and local authorities

What not to do

  • Do not pay a deposit before viewing
  • Do not send money by gift card or wire transfer to hold a rental
  • Do not share ID or bank details with an unverified landlord

Similar scams

High risk Online Shopping

Fake Online Store Scam

This scam sets up a convincing but fake store with very low prices, takes payment, and delivers nothing, a counterfeit, or a cheap substitute.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace Buyer Email Scam

A fake buyer claims to have paid through an email service and asks you to confirm a fee or send the 'difference' before any real money arrives.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Bank & Payment

Fake E-Transfer Scam

This scam sends a fake e-transfer notification linking to a phishing page that imitates your bank's login to steal your online banking details.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Frequently asked questions

Should I ever pay before seeing a rental?
Avoid paying any deposit or fee before you have viewed the property and confirmed the landlord's right to rent it. Legitimate landlords expect you to view first.
The landlord says they are abroad. Is that a problem?
An absent landlord who cannot arrange any viewing but wants money upfront is a common scam setup. Be very cautious.
How can I tell if a listing is stolen?
Search the listing photos and description online. If they appear elsewhere under different names or prices, the listing may be fake.
What payment methods are safest for rentals?
Avoid wire transfers, e-transfers, and gift cards, which are hard to reverse. Use traceable methods and only after viewing and signing an agreement.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

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.