How to Avoid Homes for Rent Scams on Craigslist

Craigslist can be a great resource for finding homes for rent in your area, but unfortunately, housing rental scams are sometimes advertised on the site. Follow these steps to recognize scams when searching for a rental property on Craigslist.

Instructions

1. 

   You've heard it a million times, but the expression "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" definitely applies to rental houses and townhomes for rent listed on Craigslist. If you find a three-bedroom rental property listed for $1,000 when other comparable rental houses in your area go for much more, be aware that it could be a scam.

2. 

   If you see a rental home that you like on Craigslist, but you think it might be a scam, ask for more details about the property. Contact the owner by phone or via email using the "reply to" link at the top of the listing.

3. 

   If you receive a reply email or phone call from the person claiming to be the owner, and they say they're living in another country and need someone to rent the home while they're gone, this is most likely a scam. These scam emails usually have poor spelling and grammar, and the "owner" will probably ask you to respond with information about yourself. Do not reply to these emails.

4. 

   Never wire money or send checks to anyone that you haven't met who claims to be the property owner or rental property manager. Only deal with people that are local and you can meet with in person.

Tips & Warnings

• If you suspect a rental property listed on Craigslist is a scam, you can report it to [e-mail].

• If you are a female, it is always a good idea to take someone with you when looking at homes for rent that are listed on Craigslist.

• Some scammers on Craigslist will go as far as looking up a legitimate address and using it in their listing. Even if the listing has a real address, it still could be a scam.

Resources

• Scam-Proof Your Life: 377 Smart Ways to Protect You & Your Family from Ripoffs, Bogus Deals & Other Consumer Headaches