Avoiding Scams

document with "SCAM" written across page in marker

  • Do not pay in cash, cash equivalents, prepaid Visa cards, MoneyGrams, or wire transfers.
  • Meet the landlord or property manager and view the apartment in person.
  • Insist on a written lease, and ensure the lease identifies the owner or agent.
  • Conduct basic research on the landlord, property owner, and unit.
  • Be aware of market rates. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
  • Don't accept a check from a new roommate and then pay the money over to someone else for them. You're likely paying the scammer, and the original check will eventually be found to be fake.
  • Trust your instincts.

How to Report Scams

Spot a scam? The government wants to know. These agencies do not help you recover your money, but they track trends to prevent crime and alert others to common scams:

Visit the Avoid Scams off-campus page for more tips and real-life examples of rental scams.