According to National Rental Home Council (NRHC) members, who are owners of rental houses, scammers use a unique variety of tactics to get people’s money. Some hijack an actual rental listing by changing the email address or other contact details and placing the altered ad on another site. Still, some scammers may list a property already leased and then try to collect application fees, security deposits, and even the first month’s rent.

Here are some tips that can help you to avoid scams:

• Do an online search of the rental company. Enter its name plus words like “complaint” or “scam.” If you find bad or doubtful reviews, you may want to look elsewhere.
• Rental home listings may be present in several places, including rental company websites and online listing services. If you see a rental company’s listing on one of those online listing services, research the home’s address to make sure it appears on the rental company’s website.  If it doesn’t, it is a scam.
• Compare prices. Is the rent is very less than comparable rentals? That could be a red signal.
• Take a tour. Ask for identification. Rental agents should have a valid photo ID issued by the company that owns or manages the property.
• Apply through the rental company, licensed real estate professional, or valid listings website.
• Before you sign a lease, make sure for signs at the rental with the name of the property owner or manager.
•  and make sure of all the things before making a deal with anyone.
• Never pay to real estate agent without knowing all the things carefully with cash, wire transfers, or gift cards. If a real estate agent tells you to pay this way, it’s a sure sign of a scam. Wiring money is like sending cash — once you send it, it will not get back. As for gift cards, they’re only for gifts, NOT for big payments.