I do not recommend looking for an apartment online on Craigslist, although it has affordable rental properties. This is because of the rampant Craigslist rent scams. It is very easy to fall prey to it, when you do not know how to identify what is real and what it is not.
Why is this important?
About five years ago or so, I fell prey to a financial scam on Craigslist which nearly put me in serious financial jeopardy. Besides the emotional anguish of it, there is also the waste of your time and resources. It is a hassle searching for an apartment on Craigslist due to scammers being creative about their rental listing schemes.
Rental property scams on Craigslist come in various forms. Most times, it is so subtle you may not pick up on it. This is especially, when it gives the impression of a legitimate rental property. The most common Craigslist scams include:
- Craigslist rental listings scam. These include sublet, apartment, penthouse and house rent scams on craigslist.
- Craigslist background check scam. These scams come from an angle of trying to ascertain what your credit score should be in order to lease an apartment from them.
- Craigslist real estate scam
When I talk about rent scams on Craigslist on this article, I refer to the above forms mentioned. Here is what you need to know about the platform in general as a young adult looking for an affordable rental property.
Is Craigslist Safe For Renting?
Craigslist is safe for renting, however scammers have gotten creative in listing fake property or substandard property for rent. This is because anyone can list a rental property on the platform. There is no legal background check on anyone assuming the position of a real estate manager. Craigslist is free to post rental advertisements.
Hence, the reason why scammers have access to the platform.
Nevertheless, I have met people who have had good and bad experiences from renting a property on Craigslist. Here are tale signs of rental property scams on Craigslist.
1. Multiple Listings Of the Same Property By Different Users
When the rental property you are interested is posted on Craigslist by different users, chances are it is not real. This is because Craigslist like most online platforms have issues, where scammers would copy and paste pictures of others claiming to be them. Unfortunately, this is an issue in today’s internet world.
A legitimate apartment does not spam itself. If it is going to post a picture, it would use the same account for its rental advertisement. Even, private property rentals would likely use the same account. This is because it is tied to its email address or Craigslist account.
Also, I would be suspicious of pictures of a Craigslist rental listing showing in different cities. Do you want to know the funny thing?
This is actually common on Craigslist. So, I will watch out for these just to be on the safe side. Chances are such a picture is a listing scam.
2. Absence Of Address And Location Mismatch
A legitimate rental property would want you to drive by or go see the place you are trying to rent. Any Craigslist property rental with no address on it, is probably a scam. This is especially, when this is followed by great privacy surrounding the location of the property.
Come on.
It is not a top-level government secret facility. You and I know any rental properties are meant to be seen before rented. If not, then there is something up with that. Would you agree?
Also, a location mismatch is another red flag. You see, Craigslist has a location map. If you look up the property listed and it does not match the location on map, such an online ad is likely a Craigslist apartment scam.
I would be wary of following up. This is especially when you reach out, they refuse to give the address to you. Save yourself the trouble and do not even bother with it.
3. Hard To Beat Rental Offers
You know it is Craigslist rental listings scam, when they are trying too hard to sell it to you. This is where they try to offer no background or credit check. On How To Avoid Apartment Scams As A First-Time Renter, I elaborated more on this. I discussed the necessity of background and credit check, since it is a way an apartment protects itself from vagrants and squatters.
Would you rent your place to someone who never worked and have a history of not paying rent, regardless of bank savings?
Probably not. This is the importance of running a check on you, before a rental property rents you a space. If an apartment complex on Craigslist is offering not to do this for you, I would be on guard. This is because it rarely happens, regardless of how desperate the apartment business is.
At least in my city of San Antonio, it rarely happens.
Furthermore, there are apartment scams on Craigslist which may offer to waive all forms of fees. Anyone offering you this is a scammer. No apartment will take in your application without a fee. If you find any, I would like to hear about it because it would be a first!
Finally, offers like incredibly discounted rent prices in a good side of your city is a red flag. These discount are alluring when they fall within how much rent should be for your income class. I would google the average rent in that part of the city and compare it to the rental listing’s. It is how you know if the apartment on Craigslist is another scam, or just a bait to get you to rent from them.
4. In A Rush To Have You Sign A Lease
When you are trying to lease for an apartment or any rental property, you are at the mercy of the business. What do I mean by this?
Well, you are the one with a need. You are probably one out of many in queue for the property or leasing space. As a result, legitimate rental property will take its time to make sure you are the perfect tenant. This is why they will run on a check on the three big Credit Bureau Mostly Used By Apartments For Credit Check.
Simply put, they are not in a rush to lease out to you.
However, rental property scams on Craigslist have the tendency to sign you on quickly. Most are so impatient, they will make the mistake of rushing to get you to “sign a lease“. This is when they will run the next scam below in order to get you to “commit“.
5. Asking For Your Personal Information Upfront
I would be wary of divulging personal information online on the Craigslist platform. This includes information or pictures of your social security, bank cards and driver’s license. I would hold off on that, until I meet the landlord and see the place for myself.
This is to determine everything is legitimate and professional. My advice includes private landlords with rooms to rent. There are thousands of Craigslist room for rent scams.
Nowadays, Craigslist scams are a real threat. Your personal information could be used to access your financial information. It puts you at risk for frauds.
Craigslist rent scams are notorious for asking about this upfront for background checks. I cannot tell you the number of people who fall victim to Craigslist background check scams. This is because they think the scammers are trying to run a legitimate check on them.
If the rental listing is refusing to deal locally, I would consider it a scam or fake rental listing. This is regardless of whatever excuse they may give you and trust me- they have a lot.
How To Avoid CraigsList Rental Scams
You avoid Craigslist rental scams by using common sense. By common sense, I mean two great things which have always saved me on this platform. Want to know what they are?
Firstly, the best way of avoiding rent scams on Craigslist is to always go see for yourself. It is pragmatic, because you can judge whether someone is trying to rip you off. Especially if you are good at telling bullshit from the real deal.
Inspect the property against the pictures on Craigslist. Look for image enhancement or alterations like photoshop. Any negative alteration indicates someone is trying to rent you a place that is not what it is. What do I mean by this?
Well, let us say the pictures of Craigslist show two windows and the place has no windows. I would consider it a Craigslist apartment scam, although the rental property is real. The reason is no telling what else the landlord is hiding.
Secondly, you can avoid being scammed on Craigslist rental by never transferring money to anyone. Or even worse, pay for anything which has to do with the rental without due process. It is how you get scammed.
Most times, rental scams on Craigslist are obvious. For example, someone asking you to wire some money to them upfront to process something. Often, they will ask for Western Union, CashApp or gift cards.
This is a big red flag. A majority of Craigslist rental deposit scam comes from ignoring it. Although this is obvious, they are smart scammers out there. They will make everything seem legit enough to get you to the point of payment. I recommend trusting your gut. If it feels wrong, it is probably a scam of some sorts.
How To Report Rental Scams On Craigslist
You can report scams on Craigslist. There are three ways to go about it depending on the situation, location and laws. Here is Craigslist wants us to know about it.
Firstly, you can report a fraud to law enforcement when you meet this scammer in person. I am assuming law enforcement would want a report and a description of the person. Hence, your presence is required.
Secondly, you are report rental scams on Craigslist by going to Report Scams on the platform. It will ask you to select what kind of scam it is. Follow the direction and report the scam, so it can be flagged by the platform.
Here are other places you can report a fraud in USA and Canada:
- U.S Federal Trade Commission
- FBI crime complaint
- Escalate it to your state attorney on National Association Of Attorney Generals.
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Center
These platforms including Craigslist are good at handling reported scams or frauds. They are your best shot at delivering justices to these ruffians. Scammers are annoying bastards. Spare no rods in your pursuit to teach them a lesson, my friend!
On the whole, spotting Craigslist scammers requires being pragmatic about each rental list. The platform even advices you to deal locally and avoid all forms of bank wiring upfront. I would say to watch out for things that seem out of place or too good to be true. Usually, your gut instincts would always ring in alarm.
But, you need more than that to spot, avoid and report rental scams on Craigslist. You need to know all I have shown you here to avoid being a victim. I know we are all working class adults trying to eke a living, but it does not mean someone else should be entitled to money they have not earned!
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