Rental scam checker
Page last updated: August 28, 2026 · How we source & update
Tick the warning signs you see in a listing or from a supposed landlord; the more that apply, the higher the risk. It reflects patterns consumer-protection agencies document — pressure to pay before viewing, wire or gift-card demands, a landlord who won't meet. It is a caution signal, not a verdict: a listing can be genuine with several flags or fraudulent with none.
Check any that apply to your listing or 'landlord.' The more you check, the higher the risk. This is guidance, not a verdict — trust your instincts and verify before you pay.
This is an educational tool, not legal or financial advice. Renter Shield is not a law firm, and no attorney-client relationship is created by your use of the app. Renter Shield does not store what you enter here.
See the full rental-scam red-flags guide and how to verify a real landlord.
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Renter Shield shows your state’s rules with the official citation and its review status, helps you draft a letter, and keeps your records on your device — free to start.
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How this checker works
It counts how many common rental-scam red flags you tick — patterns documented in consumer-protection guidance (e.g. the FTC's rental-scam warnings) such as payment before viewing, wire/gift-card demands, or a landlord who can't meet. Assumptions & limits: the count is a caution signal, not proof — a listing can be legitimate with several flags or fraudulent with none. If you already paid, your bank/payment app and local police non-emergency line are faster paths than any checklist.