Looking for off-campus housing? This fictional account shows how easily rental scams can happen, even in familiar college towns.
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Hunting for your next apartment can be stressful. Don't rely solely on online listings. Check to make sure leasing agents showing you a home or apartment is legit.
StatePoint Media - Megan and Tatianna had sworn they wouldn’t wait until April again. Last year’s apartment hunt had been a mess—cramped layouts, ancient appliances and landlords who acted like “close to campus” was a luxury amenity. This time, they started in January. Both were from the same Chicago suburb, close enough that their parents still waved at each other in grocery store parking lots. Megan, a senior in materials science engineering, lived by spreadsheets. Tatianna, an electrical engineering junior, trusted her instincts. Together, they felt balanced. Then the Facebook Marketplace listing appeared. “2BR/2BA. Five blocks from Engineering campus near the korner of 5th and Clark Street. Free WiFi and rooftop pool. Fitness room with waits provided.” The rent was $1,400 a month. Expensive, but worth it. No bus rides. No winter bike disasters. Just a short walk to class. They toured the apartment the next day. The building was barely four years old, all clean lines and glass doors. The workout room had actual equipment. The rooftop pool was small, unimpressive. Inside, the unit had stainless appliances, in-unit laundry and two real bathrooms. A parking space was included in the price. “This is it,” Megan said, making up her mind quickly. Damon, the leasing agent, seemed legit—casual, organized, not pushy. When they said yes, he suggested meeting later to sign the lease at a restaurant near Sixth and Green. It felt slightly off, but not enough to stop them. A few days later they signed the lease and paid the deposit along with the first month’s rent. Damon would meet them in August with the keys. Move-in day came. Damon didn’t. Calls went unanswered. Texts sat unread. When they contacted the rental company, the truth hit fast. There wasn't a Damon working for them last March. They were told the apartment was rented to months earlier in January. They sat on the curb with their boxes, stunned. Tatianna's mother was on the phone with her father speaking in rapid-fire burst of angry Russian. “We got scammed,” Tatianna said quietly, shaking her head in disbelief. Megan exhaled trying to control her emotions. “Yeah. We did.”
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Fraudsters are known to post phony ads using real pictures of properties they don’t actually own.
If you’re searching for an apartment or home this spring, take steps to protect yourself from rental fraud so your first night isn’t spent somewhere else, like in the fictional account of Megan and Tatianna. Rental scams are common. The Federal Trade Commission reported over 10,000 cases in 2023 alone. Fortunately, they are avoidable. By following a handful of practical, common-sense steps, you can protect yourself and avoid costly mistakes. 1. Always see the apartment before renting. Fraudsters are known to post phony ads using real pictures of properties they don’t actually own. They will push you to rent the unit, and to send your personal information to them, without seeing the apartment first. Visiting a unit is not only a way to avoid this scam--it also has the benefit of helping you ensure the apartment fits what you are looking for. If you are moving to a new city and can’t visit in person, ask if the property manager will take you on a video tour of the unit. 2. Don’t pay rent or a security deposit until you have signed a lease. Application fees are commonly requested before signing a lease agreement, but the security deposit or first month of rent are not required before signing. Be especially careful if a prospective property manager asks you to wire transfer money. There’s never a good reason to wire money to pay an application fee, security deposit or first month’s rent. And when you wire money, it’s the same as sending cash: you have no way to get it back. 3. If the price seems too good to be true, it might be. If the unit is listed for substantially less than other comparable units in the area, that could be a sign that the listing is part of a rental scam. 4. Make sure you sign a complete lease. Do not rent an apartment without signing a lease. When you get a copy of the lease, make sure to read it carefully and confirm key details. The agreement should always include these terms:
- Applicable fees
- Monthly rent cost
- Maintenance costs
