Skip to main content

Rental Fraud Widespread in Property Listings

Dec 11, 2019
Photo credit: Getty Images/AlexLMX

As if renters didn’t have enough problems, a new study by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has determined high levels of fraud in online property listings.
 
The BBB Scam Tracker received more than 1,300 reports of rental fraud from 2016 to 2019, covering both residential and vacation properties. However, the organization’s newly released “Is That Rental Listing Real?” determined that while 85 percent of consumers encountering fake rental listings did not fall for the online chicanery, the data suggests that the volume of rental scams lurking on the Internet is acute. Indeed, the BBB noted the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reported more than $37 million in losses between Jan. 1 and Oct. 20 of this year from listings that mention the word “rent.”
 
“Be wary of any rental listing that seems too good to be true,” said Claire Rosenzweig, president and chief executive officer of BBB Serving Metropolitan New York. “In a tight rental market like New York, fear of missing out can drive consumers to pay quickly for a seemingly perfect rental–but before you put down any money, it’s vital to check the listing details.”
 
The BBB also encouraged victims of rental fraud to file reports with the police.

 
About the author
Published
Dec 11, 2019
Fed Holds Rates Steady As Economic Growth Stays Solid

Move comes amid continued pressure, frustration from President Trump

Guild Mortgage To Go Private In $1.3B Deal With Bayview Asset Management

Guild to remain independent post-acquisition, strengthening national retail and servicing strategy

Jun 18, 2025
Rocket Pro And Vetted VA Join Forces

What started as a Facebook group now educates 100K+ veterans monthly — Vetted VA and Rocket Pro working to bring ethics, clarity to a broken system

Jun 17, 2025
MBA Urges Shift To Single Credit Report Model, Citing Cost Savings And Efficiency

MBA says tri-merge credit checks cost lenders up to $100 per loan, doubling since pre-COVID, as industry pushes for a cheaper, single-report model

Jun 16, 2025
Fairway Acquires Hallmark Home Mortgage Through Asset Purchase

Hallmark to become new Fairway division, gets access to Fairway's Fairway's product portfolio, tech, and support resources

Jun 13, 2025
Trigger Leads Bill Clears Senate

Final push now left to House; reconciled bill needed next