Avoid Rental Scam — (Photo : geralt on Pixabay)

There are a lot of ways to make money. All you have to do is figure out what works best for you and maybe take some risks here and there.

But while a lot of people are trying to earn cash legitimately, some want to do things the easy way. Whether you're in the customer service business or real estate, there are people who are bound to try and scam you.

How does one avoid these scams? How do they work? Read on to find out.

What are Rental Scams?

Most rental property listing scams are aimed towards the goal of stealing money. The landlord will ask you for a move-in fee or deposit before you even see the property. By the time you're ready to move in, you find out that everything was a facade, and that person you trusted just ran away with your cash.

READ: Some Buyers, Sellers Want Reassurances First Before They Participate in Open Houses Again

Signs That a Listing is a Rental Scam

Scammers get better and better at fooling people every day. But even if the old scamming tactics have leveled up, there are still loopholes in their lies that people can see through.

Here are some of the most common signs that you're dealing with a rental scam. If you encounter one or more of these signs, it's best to turn away from the offer and report it.

1. They dodge opportunities to meet with you in person

If the landlord doesn't want to meet you, it's a good reason not to trust them. Scammers will often try to avoid exposing their identity. On the other hand, a legit landlord will make sure to give you a good first impression. This is best done by attending to a set appointment.

2. The price is comparatively low

If an apartment is priced too low, you may want to ask more questions. Are there any problems with it? Do you need to fix anything? Are there any hidden charges? If you're not sure whether the listing is priced 'too low', then it is best to do some research first.

3. The landlord asks you for money before seeing the property

Whenever you buy goods from the grocery, you would always choose to see the item first before putting it in your cart and paying for it. This is the same when it comes to leasing a property.

Making absurd excuses for you not to see the property is already a red flag. But asking you for money before checking out the rental is a very suspicious thing to do.

4. The landlord doesn't screen you

Landlords want responsible tenants that can pay their rent in due time and keep their properties in good shape. The best way to do this is by screening potential tenants like you.

But if the landlord you're talking to doesn't seem to care where you lived before or what job you have, chances are you are being scammed. Pair this red flag with any other sign in this list, and you most likely are dealing with a scammer.

5. The listing photos and details look suspicious

Scammers don't really have a legitimate property to rent out, so they will use photos from multiple listing services. Some would copy an entire listing and change a few details on it.

A legitimate listing should have a photo and a matching address. Check Google Street View to see if the photo and address match with the listing. If one is missing or doesn't match, you should already be suspicious.