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Common scams
| Scam | How it works |
|---|---|
| Hijacked listings | Real photos and descriptions reposted with the scammer’s contact info and a lower price |
| Phantom rentals | Units that don’t exist or aren’t for rent |
| Fake owner | Scammer claims to own a vacant home (often for sale or in foreclosure) |
| Deposit-before-viewing | Pressure to pay to “hold” a unit you haven’t seen |
| Application fee harvesting | Collecting fees from many applicants for a unit that isn’t available |
| Section 8 and waitlist scams | Charging to apply, promising guaranteed vouchers or priority placement |
| Fake rental assistance | Callers or sites offering government rent grants for a fee |
| Identity theft | Collecting Social Security numbers, bank info, and IDs through fake applications |
| Sublet scams | Tenant “subletting” without landlord permission or leaving with your money |
Red flags
- Rent far below similar units
- Can’t see the unit or meet the landlord
- Payment demanded by wire, gift card, cryptocurrency, or payment app
- Pressure to decide immediately
- Requests for Social Security numbers before any legitimate application
- Poor grammar, generic emails, or refusal to talk by phone
- The “landlord’s” name doesn’t match property records
How to verify
- Search the address and photos online to find duplicate listings.
- Check property records (county assessor or recorder) for the owner’s name.
- Call the property management company using a number from its official website.
- Tour in person or send someone you trust.
- Sign a lease before paying anything beyond a legitimate application fee.
- Pay traceably—check, money order to a verified company, or a secure portal.
Housing assistance scams
- Apply for Section 8 and public housing only through the housing authority (find it in HUD’s PHA directory).
- No fees to apply or join a waiting list.
- No one can sell you a voucher or move you up a list.
- Government agencies don’t contact you on social media to offer grants.
If you’ve been scammed
- Contact your bank or payment service immediately to stop or reverse payment.
- Report to the FTC (ReportFraud.ftc.gov), local police, the listing site, and your state attorney general.
- If you shared personal information, use IdentityTheft.gov, place fraud alerts or credit freezes, and monitor your credit.
- Warn the real owner if a listing was hijacked.
Safer ways to pay
| Safer | Riskier |
|---|---|
| Check or money order to a verified management company | Wire transfers |
| Secure online portal on the company’s official website | Gift cards |
| Payment after signing a lease with a verified landlord | Cryptocurrency |
| Credit card (dispute rights) | Payment apps to individuals you haven’t verified |
| Getting a written receipt | Cash without a receipt |
Verifying a property manager
- Find the management company’s website independently (not through the listing link).
- Call the main office and ask if the unit and agent are legitimate.
- Check state real estate or property manager licensing where applicable.
- Look up the property owner in county records and compare names.
Scams targeting voucher holders
- “Section 8 approved” listings that ask for fees to “reserve” the unit before inspection
- Fake housing authority callers asking for payment to update or move up a waitlist
- Side payments: landlords asking for extra money outside the approved rent—this is prohibited and can cost you your voucher
Confirm anything unusual directly with your housing agency using a number you find on its official website.
Scams targeting older adults and immigrants
Scammers may pose as government agencies, claim you’ll lose benefits or immigration status, or offer “special” housing programs for a fee. Government agencies don’t demand payment by gift card or threaten immediate action by phone. Talk to a trusted person, legal aid, or 211 before paying anything.
Frequently asked questions
Is it a scam if the landlord won’t show the apartment?
Very likely. Legitimate landlords or managers show units or arrange verified virtual tours. Excuses like being out of the country or doing mission work are classic scam signs.
Do I have to pay to get on the Section 8 waiting list?
No. Housing authorities never charge to apply for Section 8 or public housing waitlists. Websites that charge fees or promise priority are scams or unnecessary paid services.
What if I already sent money?
Contact the payment company immediately to try to reverse it, report to the FTC and local police, and if you shared personal information, visit IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan.
Sources and verification
Use these sources to check program rules. Funding, openings, and local procedures must be confirmed with the agency handling your application.
- Rental listing scamsFederal Trade Commission
- Report fraudFederal Trade Commission
- Identity theft recoveryFederal Trade Commission
- Public housing agency contactsU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
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