12 Signs of a Fake Rental Listing (With Real Examples)
After analyzing thousands of rental scam reports, we identified the 12 most reliable indicators of a fraudulent listing. Here is what to look for.
The 12 Signs
1. Price Is 30%+ Below Market Rate
Scammers use below-market pricing as bait to attract maximum victims. A two-bedroom in downtown Denver for $800/month when comparable units rent for $2,100 is not a great deal — it is a trap.
Example:
"Beautiful 2BR/2BA downtown loft, updated kitchen, in-unit laundry, rooftop deck, pet friendly. Only $750/month!"
This listing describes a $2,500+ apartment at less than a third of market rate.
2. Only One Photo or Stock Photos
Legitimate landlords want to show off their property. They include multiple photos of different rooms. Scammers either have one photo (stolen from another listing) or use wide-angle stock photos that could be any apartment.
3. No Specific Address Given
The listing says "Near University of Texas campus" or "Address provided upon application." A real landlord wants you to know exactly where the property is. Scammers withhold addresses to prevent you from verifying ownership or visiting independently.
4. Landlord Is "Out of the Country"
This is the most classic rental scam line. The "landlord" says they are a missionary in Africa, deployed military overseas, working in Europe, or traveling long-term. They cannot show the property but will mail you the keys.
Example email from a scammer:
"Thank you for your interest. I am currently serving as a missionary in Ghana and cannot show the property in person. However, if you are interested, I can have the keys mailed to you once the security deposit is received via Western Union."
Three red flags: out of country, mailing keys, Western Union payment.
5. Requests Wire Transfer, Gift Cards, or Crypto
Any request for Western Union, MoneyGram, gift cards, Bitcoin, or other irreversible payment methods is a scam. Full stop. Legitimate landlords accept checks, credit cards, or payments through property management platforms.
6. Excessive Urgency
"Won't last long." "Five other people are interested." "Must decide today." Scammers create artificial urgency to prevent you from thinking critically or doing your due diligence.
Example:
"I have 8 applications already but since you responded first, if you can send the deposit TODAY I will hold it for you. Otherwise I'll have to move to the next person. This deal won't last!"
Multiple urgency tactics combined with deposit demand.
7. Requests Personal Information Before Viewing
Asking for your Social Security number, bank account details, credit card information, or copies of your ID before you have even seen the property is a setup for identity theft — not a rental application.
8. Poor Grammar or Unusual Phrasing
While not conclusive on its own, listings with frequent grammatical errors, unusual phrasing, or language that reads like it was translated can indicate an overseas scammer. This is especially suspicious when combined with other red flags.
9. No Phone Call or Video Call Available
The "landlord" only communicates via email or text. They refuse to get on a phone call and definitely will not do video. Scammers avoid voice and video because it makes them identifiable and harder to impersonate.
10. Listing Photos Appear Elsewhere
Reverse image search every photo. If the images appear on a different listing at a different address or on a real estate agent's website, the listing is fake. Scammers scrape photos from Zillow, Redfin, and real estate agency sites.
11. Too-Good-to-Be-True Amenities
The listing describes a luxury apartment with every amenity imaginable — in-unit laundry, rooftop pool, doorman, pet friendly, updated kitchen — at a price that does not match. Scammers load up descriptions with desirable features to increase appeal.
12. Religious or Emotional Manipulation
Scammers sometimes use religious language ("God bless you," "I am a pastor") or emotional stories ("my late wife and I purchased this home") to build trust and lower your defenses. These have nothing to do with a rental transaction.
Example:
"My late wife and I bought this property before she passed. I am now serving in ministry overseas and do not need the home. I just want a good Christian tenant who will take care of it. God bless."
Sob story + religious language + overseas landlord = classic scam script.
Quick Reference Checklist
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