A rental scam is when someone pretends to rent out a property they don’t own, can’t access, or that doesn’t even exist. Scammers often use fake listings with real-looking photos and low prices to trick people. They ask for deposits or rent upfront, then disappear. These scams target people who are urgently looking for a place and may not know what to watch out for. They’re common on popular websites and social media — so stay alert.
How to Spot a Rental Scam
1. Too good to be true deals
Scammers post fake rental ads with low prices below market value and beautiful photos to catch your eye. These properties may not even exist.
2. Fake or stolen listings
Scammers often copy legitimate rental listings and repost them with different contact details or prices. These fake ads may appear on multiple platforms.
3. Pressure to send personal information or money
They create urgency, saying things like 'many people are interested' or 'pay now to reserve' and often ask for a deposit before you can view the property or sign any agreement.
4. Avoid meeting in person
The 'landlord' unwilling to meet in person or show the property, claiming they’re out of town or they had to tend to a family emergency. This is often a trick to take your money or personal info without being traced.
5. Extra charges that don’t make sense
Scammers asking for additional fees for things like 'repairs' or 'maintenance' before moving in.
Things to keep in mind:
Never rent a place you haven’t seen in person. A physical visit confirms the property exists and lets you check its condition.
Always meet the person renting out the place. Avoid deals where they only communicated online or refuse to meet.
Verify property ownership. Ask for proof such as ID, recent utility bills, or property documents to confirm they’re the true owner or manager.
Search the property across different platforms to ensure the contact info, price, and details match. Inconsistencies are a major red flag for potential scams.
Don’t pay large deposits before seeing the property or signing a proper lease. A signed agreement and full verification should always come before any payment.
Never pay with cash, gift cards or cryptocurrency. Always use secure, traceable payment methods like bank transfers and always get a receipt.
Keep personal info private, only share basic details until you’ve verified the listing and met the landlord. Don’t give out bank information, IDs, username, or password to unverified contacts.
Rest assured that CelcomDigi is actively taking measures to ensure our customers do not fall prey to such scams.
