Potential renters are being warned about common scams that can lead to financial loss and housing insecurity. Lori Fullbright, a news anchor for Oklahoma's News on 6 with over three decades of experience covering crime and fraud, has identified several red flags renters should watch out for.
Fullbright, who has interviewed thousands of victims, criminals, and law enforcement officers, frequently shares safety tips online. She recently highlighted how scammers target individuals seeking rental properties, often resulting in victims losing significant amounts of money and ending up without a place to live.
"If you are looking to rent a property, an apartment or house, somewhere to live, there are all kinds of scammers out there," Fullbright stated.
One common tactic involves scammers using photos and listings from houses that are for sale and posting them on fake websites advertised as rentals. In other instances, individuals have paid first and last month's rent as a down payment to someone who falsely claims to be the landlord. These fraudulent landlords may change locks and list properties that are in foreclosure or already sold.
Fullbright detailed several key warning signs.
A price that seems too good to be true is a significant red flag. "If it's cheaper than every other place listed that's a big red flag," she explained.
Urgency is another warning sign. Scammers often pressure potential renters to send money immediately. "The second red flag is urgency, like if they say, 'You've gotta send your money right now,'" Fullbright said.
The method of payment requested can also indicate a scam. Fullbright advises against using payment apps like Zelle, Western Union money transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards.
Furthermore, a landlord's inability or unwillingness to meet in person to view the property or have a trusted representative do so is a major concern. Scammers may claim to be out of the country or recovering from surgery to avoid in-person meetings while requesting upfront payment.
Fullbright also stressed the importance of inspecting the property thoroughly, not just viewing it from the outside, ideally with the landlord present.
Sharing personal information, such as pay stubs, should be done cautiously. "Real rental agencies will run your credit report, they don't need all that information from you," she noted. Renters should be wary of handing over sensitive data before verifying the legitimacy of the transaction.
To verify a rental listing, Fullbright recommends researching the rental agent or individual. "Pop it into an internet search with words like 'scam' or 'complaint' to see what other people are saying," she suggested. For single-property rentals, checking county websites to confirm the person listing the property is the actual owner can provide further verification.
"It's so important to take these steps, not to rush and feel like it's urgent or work off your emotion," Fullbright concluded. "Never think, 'This is a great deal I have to have it right now.' Take your time, and really do your research. Be safe out there."