$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
rental deposit check scam
A fake landlord sends a check for more than the deposit, then asks the prospective tenant to wire back the excess before the check bounces.
“check scam”
↑ 34%Key indicators
Usually targetsRenters
Often hitsFreelancers and contractors
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
A scammer posing as a landlord lists a desirable property at a below-market rent.
2
After the tenant shows interest, the scammer sends a check for more than the deposit amount.
3
The tenant is asked to wire back the overage, but the original check is fraudulent and bounces.
What to do first
Never accept a check for more than the agreed amount in any rental transaction.
Related terms
rental overpayment scamtenant refund check frauddeposit refund scamCheck and money order scamsEmailRisingRentersJob seekersFreelancers and contractorsSmall business ownersPayroll, HR, and finance teamsUnited StatesCanadaAustraliarental overpayment scamtenant refund check fraud
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Steven, 27, a renters, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate check and money order scams situation while using Email. A scammer posing as a landlord lists a desirable property at a below-market rent.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: After the tenant shows interest, the scammer sends a check for more than the deposit amount.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The tenant is asked to wire back the overage, but the original check is fraudulent and bounces.
The outcome
Steven realized something was wrong when landlord sends a check before you have signed a lease or viewed the property. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Never accept a check for more than the agreed amount in any rental transaction. Steven's experience shows why landlord sends a check before you have signed a lease or viewed the property and check amount exceeds the agreed deposit and you are asked to wire back the difference are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Landlord sends a check before you have signed a lease or viewed the property
- Check amount exceeds the agreed deposit and you are asked to wire back the difference
- Property owner claims to be overseas and cannot meet in person
- 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
- ✓Never accept a check for more than the agreed amount in any rental transaction.
- ✓Verify property ownership through your county assessor's website before sending any money.
- ✓Report rental scams to the FTC and your local housing authority.
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.
- ✓Keep the full sender address, domain, attachments, and—if possible—the raw email headers.
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.
- The FTC receives tens of thousands of rental and real estate scam complaints annually, with median losses of around 1,000 USD.
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.
- ✓Never accept a check for more than the agreed amount in any rental transaction.
- ✓Verify property ownership through your county assessor's website before sending any money.
- ✓Report rental scams to the FTC and your local housing authority.
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.
The FTC receives tens of thousands of rental and real estate scam complaints annually, with median losses of around 1,000 USD.
FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
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, Job seekers
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada, Australia
Primary channel
Email — Check and money order 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
- The FTC receives tens of thousands of rental and real estate scam complaints annually, with median losses of around 1,000 USD.
Source notes
- FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about rental deposit check scam
How does the rental deposit check scam work?+
A scammer posing as a landlord lists a desirable property at a below-market rent. After the tenant shows interest, the scammer sends a check for more than the deposit amount. The tenant is asked to wire back the overage, but the original check is fraudulent and bounces.
What are the warning signs of rental deposit check scam?+
Landlord sends a check before you have signed a lease or viewed the property Check amount exceeds the agreed deposit and you are asked to wire back the difference Property owner claims to be overseas and cannot meet in person
What should I do if I encounter rental deposit check scam?+
Never accept a check for more than the agreed amount in any rental transaction. Verify property ownership through your county assessor's website before sending any money. Report rental scams to the FTC and your local housing authority.
Who is most at risk for rental deposit check scam?+
This scam primarily targets Renters, Job seekers. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada, Australia and typically appears on Email.
Is rental deposit check scam on the rise?+
rental deposit check scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, CA, AU. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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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.
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