Rental scams are back — and they’re preying on people who just need a place to live

Finding an affordable rental property right now can feel like trying to find a parking spot at Walmart two days before Christmas. Prices are high, good listings disappear quickly, and people are often forced to make decisions faster than they normally would.

Unfortunately, scammers know that, too.

A recent warning shared by the Union County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia highlights a scam that is making the rounds again: fake rental listings. It is not new, but it is becoming more common, more believable and more dangerous for people who are simply trying to find a home.

The scam usually starts with a real property. That is what makes it tricky. The scammer may find a legitimate house, apartment or mobile home listed for sale or rent. They copy the photos, address and other details from legitimate real estate websites. Then they repost the property on Facebook Marketplace, TikTok, Instagram, Craigslist or another social media platform.

But here is the catch: The scammer does not own the property. They are not the landlord. They are not the property manager. They are not the real estate agent. They are just someone with internet access, stolen photos and the moral compass of a raccoon in a dumpster.

Once someone responds to the listing, the scammer starts building trust. They may say they are out of town. They may claim they are helping a family member. They may tell you there is a lot of interest in the property and that you need to act quickly. They may even send an application or fake lease to make everything feel official.

That is the hook.

Then comes the money request.

The scammer may ask for an application fee, a deposit, the first month’s rent or a “hold fee” to keep the property from being rented to someone else. They will often request payment through Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, gift cards, cryptocurrency or another fast-payment method that gives the victim little to no meaningful protection once the money is gone.

And once the money is sent, communication usually stops.

Unless, of course, they think they can get more money. Then suddenly they are easier to reach than your car warranty people.

The reason this scam works is that it targets pressure and emotion. People need housing. They may be moving for work, leaving a bad situation, trying to get closer to family or simply trying to find something affordable before someone else gets it. Scammers use that urgency against them.

There are several warning signs the public should watch for.

First, be cautious if the rent seems unusually low for the area. Everyone wants a good deal, but if a property looks too good to be true, it deserves extra scrutiny. A four-bedroom house with a fenced yard, granite countertops and rent cheaper than a storage unit should raise eyebrows.

Second, check the address across multiple websites. Search the exact property address online. Look at Zillow, Realtor.com, Apartments.com, county property records and any local real estate listings you can find. If the same property appears under different names, different prices or different contact information, slow down.

Third, verify who actually owns or manages the property. In Georgia, many county tax assessor websites allow the public to search property ownership records. If the person asking for money is not the listed owner, property manager or authorized agent, ask questions. A legitimate landlord or agent should be able to prove their connection to the property.

Fourth, never send money before seeing the property in person or confirming the listing is legitimate. Video tours can be helpful, but they are not foolproof. Scammers can steal videos, too. If possible, physically view the property and meet the landlord, property manager or licensed real estate agent.

Fifth, be very suspicious of anyone who asks for payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, Cash App, Venmo, Zelle or other instant payment services. Those methods are often difficult to reverse. Once the money is gone, recovering it can be extremely difficult.

Sixth, do not let urgency make the decision for you. Scammers love phrases like “I have five other people interested,” “You need to send the deposit today,” or “I can only hold it for you if you pay now.” A legitimate rental process should include reasonable verification, documentation and time to review the agreement.

The safest approach is simple: Verify before you pay.

Ask for identification. Ask for proof of ownership or property management authority. Contact the real estate company directly using a phone number from its official website, not just the number given to you in a social media message. Search the landlord’s name, phone number and email address. Look for duplicate listings. Trust your instincts.

And remember this: Being cautious does not make you difficult. It makes you smart.

A real landlord may ask questions, too. They may require an application, proof of income, references and a deposit. That is normal. But a real landlord should not demand that you send money immediately through a payment app before you have verified the property and their authority to rent it.

Rental scams hurt people financially and emotionally. They do not just take money. They take time, security and sometimes a family’s opportunity to move into a safe home.

So before you send that deposit, pause. Search the address. Verify the owner. Confirm the listing. And if something feels off, do not ignore that feeling.

Your gut may not be a licensed real estate professional, but it is often a pretty good fraud detector.

If you believe you have identified a rental scam or have already become a victim, report it to your local law enforcement agency. You should also preserve screenshots, messages, phone numbers, email addresses, payment receipts, usernames and any other information connected to the scam. The faster it is reported, the better chance law enforcement has to identify patterns, warn others and pursue those responsible.

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Now Georgia Crime Reporter Kevin Angell is a career law enforcement professional with experience serving agencies in Florida and Georgia. He is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran who served during Operation Enduring Iraqi Freedom and holds a doctorate in criminal justice from Liberty University. His column, Street Smart, publishes weekly on NowGeorgia.com.