$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Craigslist apartment rental scam
A listing on Craigslist advertises an apartment at a great price, but the poster does not own or have authority to rent the property.
“rental scam”
↑ 274%Key indicators
Usually targetsRenters
Often hitsSmall business owners
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$1.2K
median reported loss
Typical range$240 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~10%
Annual reports43,000
Scam breakdown
1
The scammer posts an attractive listing with stolen photos and a below-market price.
2
Interested renters are told to apply quickly because of high demand.
3
An application fee and deposit are collected before the renter discovers the listing is fraudulent.
What to do first
Always view the property in person before sending any money.
Related terms
CL apartment scamCraigslist rental fraudfree listing rental scamRental scamsCraigslistRisingRentersStudentsBudget-conscious tenantsSmall business ownersReal estate professionals and homebuyersEducators and studentsUnited StatesCanadaCL apartment scamCraigslist rental fraud
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
David, 27, a renters, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate rental scams situation while using Craigslist. The scammer posts an attractive listing with stolen photos and a below-market price.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Interested renters are told to apply quickly because of high demand.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: An application fee and deposit are collected before the renter discovers the listing is fraudulent.
The outcome
David realized something was wrong when listing price is well below market rate for the neighborhood. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Always view the property in person before sending any money. David's experience shows why listing price is well below market rate for the neighborhood and poster uses a generic email and has no verifiable phone number are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Listing price is well below market rate for the neighborhood
- Poster uses a generic email and has no verifiable phone number
- Application requires a deposit before viewing the unit
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Always view the property in person before sending any money.
- ✓Verify the landlord's identity through the county recorder's office.
- ✓Report fake listings to Craigslist and the FTC.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
- ✓Preserve the listing ID, reservation ID, or the exact item URL because platform support will usually ask for it.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- Craigslist's own safety page warns that any listing requiring money before viewing is likely fraudulent.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Always view the property in person before sending any money.
- ✓Verify the landlord's identity through the county recorder's office.
- ✓Report fake listings to Craigslist and the FTC.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
Craigslist's own safety page warns that any listing requiring money before viewing is likely fraudulent.
FBI IC3 2024
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Renters, Students, Budget-conscious tenants
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada
Primary channel
Craigslist — Rental scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Renters are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- Craigslist's own safety page warns that any listing requiring money before viewing is likely fraudulent.
Source notes
- FBI IC3 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about craigslist apartment rental scam
How does the craigslist apartment rental scam work?+
The scammer posts an attractive listing with stolen photos and a below-market price. Interested renters are told to apply quickly because of high demand. An application fee and deposit are collected before the renter discovers the listing is fraudulent.
What are the warning signs of craigslist apartment rental scam?+
Listing price is well below market rate for the neighborhood Poster uses a generic email and has no verifiable phone number Application requires a deposit before viewing the unit
What should I do if I encounter craigslist apartment rental scam?+
Always view the property in person before sending any money. Verify the landlord's identity through the county recorder's office. Report fake listings to Craigslist and the FTC.
Who is most at risk for craigslist apartment rental scam?+
This scam primarily targets Renters, Students, Budget-conscious tenants. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada and typically appears on Craigslist.
Is craigslist apartment rental scam on the rise?+
Craigslist apartment rental scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
Related scams
Similar scams to watch out for
Employment fraud
↑ 80%Fake job offer advance payment scam
A victim receives what looks like a legitimate remote job offer and is asked to pay upfront for equipment, training, or background checks.
What to do first
Verify the recruiter and company domain independently.
Targets
Job seekers
Seen in
Global
Marketplace fraud
→ 0%Marketplace payment reversal scam
A buyer on a marketplace uses fake payment confirmation, overpayment stories, or refund pressure to get goods without completing a legitimate payment.
What to do first
Only trust the actual payment app or bank balance, not screenshots.
Targets
Casual sellers
Seen in
U.S.
Extension fraud
↑ 131%Malicious browser extension data harvest scam
A seemingly useful browser extension captures browsing activity, credentials, or payment behavior after a short period of benign use.
What to do first
Review permissions before installing.
Targets
Remote workers
Seen in
Global
Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.
Relevant collections