A rental ad looked perfect. The “landlord” asked for a deposit before any in-person or verified video tour. I did not pay. What checks do people use for housing ads?
Fake rental listing wanted a deposit before a showing
3 thoughtful replies
I reverse-search listing photos when I can and never wire money before a verified showing. Pressure is a signal.
Official rental platforms with in-app payments are safer than off-platform transfers. Save the ad URL offline if you report later.
Update: I found the same photos on another city’s listings. Pattern sharing here helped me trust my pause.