LA rental scams cost victims thousands of dollars every year. With high rents and competitive demand, scammers target desperate apartment hunters with fake listings and fraudulent schemes. Here's how to protect yourself and verify any listing before you pay.
LA Rental Scams Are Common
The FBI reports rental fraud losses exceeding $350 million annually nationwide. LA is a major target due to high rents and people relocating from out of state.
The most common scam: fake Craigslist listings using photos stolen from legitimate rentals, with below-market prices to attract victims.
🚩 Major Red Flags
Price is Too Good to Be True
A 1BR in Santa Monica for $1,200? A nice place in West Hollywood for $1,500? If it's 30-40% below market rate, it's almost certainly a scam.
Can't See the Apartment
"I'm out of town" or "Just send a deposit and I'll give you the keys" = 100% scam. Always see an apartment in person before paying anything.
Requests Wire Transfer, Venmo, or Gift Cards
Legitimate landlords accept checks or bank transfers. Wire transfers, Zelle to strangers, Venmo, or gift cards are untraceable—major red flag.
Pressure to Pay Immediately
"Someone else is about to take it" or "Send deposit now to hold it" before you've even seen it. High pressure = scam.
No Lease or Vague Terms
Legitimate rentals have written leases. "We'll figure out the paperwork later" is a red flag.
Listed on Multiple Sites at Different Prices
Scammers repost stolen listings. If you see the same photos at wildly different prices, it's likely fraud.
How to Verify a Listing
Verification Checklist
- 1Search the address on StreetSmart
See who actually owns the building. If the "landlord" name doesn't match ownership records, that's a red flag.
- 2Reverse image search the photos
Drag photos into Google Images. If they appear on other sites or old listings, the photos may be stolen.
- 3Check LA County property records
Use the LA County Assessor's website to verify ownership information.
- 4Meet at the building
Always meet at the actual apartment. If they want to meet elsewhere first, be suspicious.
- 5Verify they can access the unit
A legitimate landlord or property manager will have keys. If they can't enter, walk away.
Verify Any Building for Free
Search any LA address to see ownership info, building history, and violations. If a listing seems suspicious, check it here first.
Search a BuildingCommon LA Rental Scams
1. The Phantom Listing
Scammer posts photos stolen from a real listing (often from Zillow or Apartments.com) at a much lower price. They collect deposits from multiple victims for an apartment they don't control.
2. The Bait and Switch
You see a great apartment online, but when you arrive, they say it's "just rented" and show you a worse unit at a higher price. While sometimes legitimate, this is often a deceptive tactic.
3. The Fake Landlord
Someone poses as the landlord of a vacant unit (often watching for move-outs) and collects deposits. When you try to move in, the real owner has no idea who you are.
4. The Remote Landlord
"I'm a missionary abroad" or "I'm traveling for work" — scammer claims they can't show the apartment but will mail keys after you wire money. Never send money without seeing a unit.
Safe Payment Practices
- Never pay before seeing the apartment in person
- Never wire money or use Venmo/Zelle to strangers
- Pay by check — made out to the landlord or management company name that matches records
- Get receipts for everything
- Read the lease before paying — never pay "to hold" without a signed lease
- Maximum security deposit is 2 months — anything more is illegal in CA
What to Do If You've Been Scammed
If You've Already Paid a Scammer:
- 1. Report to LAPD — File a police report at your local station or online
- 2. Report to the FTC — reportfraud.ftc.gov
- 3. Report to the FBI's IC3 — ic3.gov for internet crimes
- 4. Contact your bank — They may be able to reverse charges
- 5. Report the listing — Flag it on the platform where you found it
Where to Find Legitimate Listings
- Apartments.com / Zillow / Trulia — Major sites with some verification
- Direct from management companies — Large landlords list on their own sites
- Walking around — Many LA landlords still use "For Rent" signs
- Westside Rentals — LA-specific site with subscription
Be extra cautious with: Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and any listing that seems too good to be true.