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Get Smart About Housing Rental Scams

Get Smart About Housing Rental Scams

Searching for housing? Scams are prevalent, so be careful when you rent.

43% of U.S. renters have encountered a rental scam (Better Business Bureau)
18-29 year-old renters are 42% more likely to experience rental fraud (Better Business Bureau)
$350 MILLION was lost to housing/rental scams in 2021 (2021 FBI Internet Crime Report)
9.1% of renters ages 18-29 have lost money to rental scams (compared to 6.4% of all renters) (Forbes)

Make sure a listing is legit before you commit.

Never wire transfer a security deposit of first month's rent before meeting the landlord
Always tour or have a person you trust visit the property
Never pay anything before signing a lease

Report Housing Rental Scams

Federal Trade Commission reportfraud.ftc.gov
Website where fraudulent listing was posted (e.g. Craig’s List)

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Consumer Banking

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