How to Recognize and Avoid Rental Scams

Key Takeaways

• Scammers often copy legitimate rental listings and post them with altered contact information to steal money from renters.

• Landlords can help prevent fraud by monitoring online listings, watermarking photos, and clearly communicating how they accept payments.

• Partnering with a trusted property manager offers added protection against scams and fraudulent activity.

Rental scams aren’t just horror stories tenants tell on Reddit. They’re very real, and unfortunately, more landlords are becoming the ones telling the stories.

Picture this: you’re checking in on your listings during your morning coffee, and suddenly you see your rental listed for rent on Craigslist, except you didn’t post it. And neither did your property manager.

Welcome to the world of rental scams, where scammers swipe legitimate listings and use them to trick unsuspecting renters out of their hard-earned cash. When your name or property gets dragged into it, it can seriously damage your credibility as a landlord.

So, what exactly do these scams look like? More importantly, how can you avoid them?

In this guide, our team at Fireside Property Management will walk you through the most common rental scams landlords face, warning signs to look out for, and how to protect your property from being used as someone’s next hustle.

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How Rental Scams Play Out

Most rental scams follow a predictable pattern. Here’s how the process usually unfolds so you know exactly what to watch for and how to protect your property before things get out of hand.

A Scammer Finds Your Listing and Copies It

It often starts with a scammer browsing through online rental sites like Zillow, Trulia, or Facebook Marketplace. 

They find your listing, save your photos, copy your description word for word, and repost it on another platform, usually one with less oversight such as Craigslist or other private forums.

The only thing they change is the contact details. Now, they’re the landlord.

They’ll lower the rent to attract desperate tenants quickly and might even claim the unit is “move-in ready” immediately.

They Pose as the Landlord and Start Fielding Inquiries

Once the fake ad is live, the scammer begins acting like you. They’ll message interested renters, answer questions about the property, and offer a warm, convincing backstory:

• “I’m relocating overseas for work, so I need someone trustworthy.”
• “I’m showing the property virtually due to my current location, but if you send the deposit, I’ll mail the keys.”

Everything sounds believable, until it doesn’t.

Renters Are Asked to Pay Upfront to “Secure” the Unit

Here’s where the scam really hits its stride. The scammer will ask prospective renters for a deposit, application fee, or even first and last month’s rent before any lease is signed or property is viewed.

They’ll suggest urgency to close the deal quickly. It’ll sound something like “I have other people interested in the unit,” or “I can only hold the unit with a payment.” 

With this kind of pressure in the competitive San Jose rental market, most renters won’t think twice if the scammer seems friendly and the price is right.

Victim Realizes the Scam, and You Take the Blame

Once the money is sent, the scammer disappears. No keys, no lease, no rental. Eventually, the would-be tenant drives by the property or looks up the real management company and realizes they’ve been duped.

And guess who they think did it?

You.

Even though you had nothing to do with the scam, your name and property were used in it. The victim might leave angry voicemails, post negative reviews, or warn others online not to rent from you. A full-service property management company can help manage these situations!

5 Ways to Spot (and Prevent) Rental Scams as a Landlord

Spotting rental property scams isn’t rocket science. With a few simple checks and smart habits, you can catch fake listings early and keep your property, as well as your reputation, safe. Here are five ways to stay one step ahead:

Google Your Property Address to Catch Fake Listings Early

Make it a habit to search your address and look for fake rental listings using your property, especially on sites you don’t use. If you find that your photos and details have been posted by someone else, take screenshots and report it immediately.

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Pay Attention to Odd Inquiries

If people contact you asking about a listing you never created, don’t ignore it. These calls are often the first sign that your property has been hijacked in a scam.

Watermark Your Photos

Before uploading listing photos, add a light watermark with your business name or logo. It doesn’t stop theft entirely, but it discourages lazy scammers who don’t want to edit images.

Warn Renters in Your Real Listings

Include a note in your ad like: “This property is only listed on our official website and Zillow. We do not accept deposits via Venmo, Cash App, or wire transfer.”

This sets clear expectations and gives cautious renters a way to verify they’re dealing with the real owner.

Work With a Trusted Property Manager

One of the best ways to stay ahead of scams is to partner with a reputable property management company. A good manager will:

• Market your rental on secure, verified platforms.

• Monitor for fake listings.

• Handle all tenant communications professionally, including tenant screening.

• Respond quickly if fraud is suspected.

When tenants see that a property is listed under a licensed manager, it’s far less likely to be targeted or believed by scammers.

Tips for Tenants to Avoid Rental Scams

Scammers often rely on urgency and low prices to quickly lure people in. If communication feels off, trust your instincts and verify everything before moving forward. 

Here are a few simple precautions every tenant should take before handing over a deposit:

• Always tour the property in person or request a live video walkthrough from a verified contact.

• Confirm the landlord or property manager’s identity through public records or the company’s official website.

• Ask to speak with the current or former tenant to verify the property is legitimately for rent.

• Avoid sending money or sharing personal information until you've confirmed the listing is real and the person you’re speaking to is authorized.

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Bottom Line

Another way to prevent rental scams as a landlord is to set up Google Alerts with your address. This way, you’ll be notified whenever the property is posted online. Alternatively, you can hire a property management company to list your property and stay responsive to any unusual activity. 

If someone attempts to use your property in a scam, they’ll act promptly to report it, have it removed, and protect your reputation as a landlord. Get in touch with our team at Fireside Property Management to learn more.