Finding a great rental can be exciting — but it also comes with risks. As demand for housing rises in many regions, rental scams have become increasingly common. Scammers know that eager renters often act quickly, and they take advantage of that urgency. The good news: with a few simple checks and a bit of awareness, you can dramatically lower your chances of falling for a fraudulent listing.
1. Be wary of prices that seem “too good to be true”
If you see a rental that’s far below market price, treat it as a red flag. Scammers often use unusually low prices to attract large numbers of interested renters and push them into paying a deposit quickly. Compare prices in the same neighborhood, size category, and quality level. If one listing seems much cheaper than the rest, pause and verify everything before taking the next step.
2. Never pay a deposit before seeing the property
One of the most common scam tactics is requesting money upfront — sometimes with excuses like the landlord being “abroad,” “unable to show the property,” or “receiving many inquiries.”
A legitimate landlord or agent will always arrange a viewing, either in person or virtually, before asking for payment. If someone pressures you to transfer money in advance, that’s a clear sign to walk away.
3. Verify the identity of the landlord or agent
Before sending documents or money, make sure the person you're dealing with is real and connected to the property. You can:
- Ask for their full name and contact information
- Search for them online or in public business registries
- Request proof they manage or own the property
- Cross-check phone numbers or email addresses
If any details seem inconsistent or the person avoids providing basic information, trust your instincts and proceed carefully.
4. Look closely at photos and descriptions
Scammers often copy images from legitimate listings and reuse them elsewhere. To protect yourself:
- Reverse-search the images to see if they appear on other sites
- Check for mismatches between the photos, description, and map location
- Watch for vague descriptions or overly generic text
Small inconsistencies are often the first sign that something isn’t right.
5. Use trusted platforms and rental search tools
Searching on reputable platforms reduces your risk considerably because these services usually have stronger verification processes. At Rentumo, for example, listings are checked both automatically and by a manual QA team to help ensure they come from legitimate sources. While no platform can guarantee scammers never slip through — rental fraud can appear anywhere online — using a service that actively monitors for suspicious activity can greatly lower your exposure.
Consumer feedback also plays an important role. When Rentumo users report questionable listings, it helps the team remove them quickly and further strengthen the platform’s detection systems over time. Knowing that your reports contribute directly to improving the quality of listings adds an extra layer of protection to your search.
Bottom line: Stay cautious, verify everything, and trust your instincts. A legitimate rental opportunity will always hold up under scrutiny — and by taking a few precautionary steps, you can protect your money and find your next home with confidence.
