Rental scams are on the rise in Florida. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning college students to be extra careful when searching for housing this fall. Every year, many students move away from home and look for apartments or houses near campus. Because they are often new to renting, they can become easy targets for scammers. The BBB says rental scams are not slowing down, and young renters should pay close attention before signing a lease or handing over money.
Why Young Renters Are Most at Risk
Rental scams can happen to anyone, but students and young adults are especially vulnerable. People between the ages of 19 and 29 are more than 40 percent more likely to get tricked compared to older renters. This group is usually less experienced with renting and may feel pressured to grab a place quickly before someone else takes it. That pressure makes them more likely to trust a deal that looks too good to be true.
How the Scam Works
The scam itself is often simple but effective. Scammers steal real photos of houses or apartments from legitimate listings. They then repost those photos under their own fake ad, using different contact information. Once someone shows interest, the scammer acts like the landlord or property manager and demands money up front. They usually ask for a deposit and the first month’s rent before giving the renter a chance to see the property. By the time the victim realizes it was a scam, the money is gone, and the “landlord” disappears.
How Many People Are Losing and Where
This problem is widespread. More than 5 million people have lost money to fake rental listings. Almost half of everyone who has searched for rentals online has run into at least one scam attempt. On average, victims lose around $400. But for some, the losses are much worse—about one in three victims end up losing more than $1,000. These scams are common in large, crowded rental markets where housing moves quickly, such as Tallahassee, Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. However, cases are also rising in other cities, including San Francisco, Denver, Phoenix, and Seattle.
Red Flags That Signal a Scam
The BBB highlights several warning signs renters should look out for. A major red flag is when a landlord refuses to let you see the property in person, often claiming they are out of town. Another warning sign is when there is still a “for sale” sign in front of the property, even though it is being advertised as “for rent.” Payment requests are also a big giveaway—legitimate landlords will never ask for money through wire services like Western Union or MoneyGram, and they will not ask for gift cards. Finally, if the price seems far below other similar rentals in the same area, that is usually a sign that something is wrong.
