FTC Reports $65 Million Lost to Rental Scams Since 2020

USA: FTC Reports $65 Million Lost to Rental Scams Since 2020

Key Findings

Consumers have lost approximately $65 million across nearly 65,000 reported rental scams since 2020, according to a recent analysis by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The data, released in the FTC’s Consumer Protection Data Spotlight, highlights a surge in fraudulent listings on popular online platforms.

Online Platforms as Primary Vectors

The FTC identified that many deceptive ads appear on social media and classified‑ad sites, with about 50% of reports in the 12‑month period ending June 2025 tracing the origin to a fake posting on Facebook. Similar scams have also been linked to listings on Craigslist and other comparable services.

Demographic Trends

Adults ages 18 to 29 were three times more likely than older age groups to report financial losses from rental scams. The heightened vulnerability of younger renters is attributed to their frequent use of online marketplaces for housing searches.

Common Scam Tactics

Scammers typically pressure victims to remit money before viewing a property, request screenshots of credit scores, or direct individuals to affiliate links for low‑cost credit checks that may enroll them in recurring‑fee memberships. In addition, fraudsters often solicit personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, driver’s licenses, or pay stubs.

Potential Identity Risks

When personal information is disclosed, perpetrators can exploit it for identity theft, compounding the financial harm experienced by victims.

Preventive Measures

Experts advise consumers to verify rental addresses online for duplicate listings with varying prices or contact details, refrain from sharing personal data until a lease agreement is finalized, and compare advertised rents with local market rates to detect unusually low offers.

FTC’s Ongoing Effort

The Federal Trade Commission continues to educate the public about fraudulent practices and encourages reporting of suspicious rental advertisements through its online portal.

This report is based on information from Federal Trade Commission, licensed under Public Domain (U.S. Government Work). Source: Official U.S. Government release.