This is a negative topic to talk about, but real estate rental scams are on the rise, and people - even smart people like you - are getting tricked into them, because at least some of them are highly believable, and people can be very convincing - especially when something seems like a good deal.
A lot of people are urgently looking for a home for themselves and their family… as long as rents are on the rise, and there’s an urgency to find a home, there will always be scammers who will take advantage of you.
Here are some of the most common scams to watch out for, and how to avoid them:
1. Fake listings
Here’s how it works: scammers copy real rental listings and repost them with their contact information, often at a much lower price to attract renters. I’ve seen this happen over and over again, as quickly as 20 minutes after I’ve posted my own legitimate listing. There are even listings out there for homes we manage that have been occupied for years.
The most frequent sites for this kind of scam are Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
Placerville Realty and Big Oak Management never advertise on these sites.
How do you avoid fake listings?
Never search for rentals on non-real estate sites… legitimate real estate websites that are dedicated to home sales and rentals only allow one listing per parcel. That’s important because someone can’t copy our legitimate listing and reproduce it on those sites. You can be confident that a listing on real estate sites (zillow.com, redfin.com, realtor.com, homes.com, apartments.com, avail.com, and so on) are safe. Craigslist and Facebook have no such limitations… anyone can list anything as often as they like.
Reverse search images from the listing to see if they appear elsewhere… or do a search for the address in your favorite web browser. If it comes up with different prices (rent and security deposit) and different contact information, your “radar” should go up. That doesn’t mean it’s definitely fraudulent, but it’s a sign that it might be.
Verify the property through official real estate websites (as mentioned above).
Be warned: visiting the property in person may not be sufficient. I've heard stories of scammers meeting people at properties, showing them through homes that they have broken into, and having people sign rental agreements and give them cash on the spot. Then they disappear. This is particularly common with homes that are listed for sale, because a lot of them are vacant and vulnerable to this kind of scam.
2. Landlord asking for money before a viewing
Here’s how it works: the scammer demands a security deposit before allowing you to see the property, claiming high demand.
How do you avoid money scams?
Never pay anything before viewing the property and verifying it legitimacy.
Meet the landlord or property manager in person if possible.
We have talked to people who have contacted a property manager (or they thought it was a property manager, anyway); they were told he was “out of town” but eager to rent to them. They'll tell the applicant to go by the property, take a look at it (peek through the windows), and if they like it, they’ll write up a rental agreement. Then they require rent (discounted, of course) and a security deposit and the applicant never hears from them again.
This is more common when the rent is "too good to be true." People are frequently willing to forego looking at a home if they know the general specs and have had a chance to look through the windows to make sure it's clean and basically meets their needs.
Never rent a property, or give money to a landlord or property manager, without walking through the home with the property manager!
3. No lease, or rushed signing
Here’s how it works: the scammer avoids a formal lease agreement or pressures you into signing quickly to “secure the property.”
How do you avoid it?
Take your time! Always insist on a written lease agreement and review it thoroughly.
Be wary if the landlord refuses to provide proper documentation (including their own authority to rent the property).
4. Fake Real Estate Agents or Property Managers
Here’s how it works: Scammers pose as real estate agents or managers and collect fees from multiple renters for the same property.
This happens a lot. I’ve heard of multiple people showing up on one day to view and rent a home… the fake landlord rents to all of them (one after the next). Imagine their surprise when they show up at the home only to find it has been rented to someone else as well.
How do you avoid it?
The best way to avoid this is to follow the advice above regarding sourcing rental properties only from legitimate sources. Avoid Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist!
5. “Too good to be true” deals
Here’s how it works: A scammer will list a property at an unbelievably low price to attract desperate renters and collect deposits.
How do you avoid it?
A general axiom for all of life is simply this: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Compare similar properties in the area… the home you’re applying for should be priced in line with those homes.
6. Fake Airbnb or short-term rental scams
Here’s how it works: A scammer sets up a fake rental listing, often on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, and demands full payment upfront for a vacation or short-term stay.
How do you avoid it?
Use reputable booking platforms that offer secure payment options.
Avoid direct wire transfers or payment through apps like Venmo or Zelle.
7. Key Exchange Scams
Here’s how it works: The scammer claims to be out of town and says they’ll mail you the keys after you send a deposit.
How do you avoid it?
Never send money without first verifying the rental and meeting the landlord or property manager.
Always see the unit in person before making any payments.
Final Tips to Stay Safe:
✔ Verify the landlord or rental agency.
✔ Research the address and ownership records.
✔ Always insist on a written lease.
✔ Never send money via wire transfer or prepaid gift cards.
✔ Trust your instincts—if something feels off, walk away.
If you ever suspect that one of our listings is fraudulent, or you've seen the same home on our website and on other websites (in particular, Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist), please call us! You can call us at (530) 644-4585... or email me at ggrant@placervillerealtyinc.com.
