SF's competitive rental market makes it a prime target for scammers. Fake listings, impersonators, and deposit theft cost victims thousands of dollars. Here's how to protect yourself and verify any listing before you pay.
SF Rental Scams Are Common
High rents and competitive demand make the Bay Area a top target for rental fraud. The most common scam: fake Craigslist listings using stolen photos at below-market prices.
Golden rule: Never send money without seeing the apartment in person.
🚩 Major Red Flags
Price is Too Good to Be True
A 1BR in the Mission for $1,500? In Pacific Heights for $2,000? If it's 30-40% below market rate, it's almost certainly a scam.
Can't See the Apartment
"I'm traveling" or "Just send a deposit and I'll mail 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 certified funds. Wire transfers, Venmo/Zelle to strangers, or gift cards are untraceable and a 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.
Asking for Personal Information Upfront
Requests for SSN, bank info, or ID before you've even seen the apartment are identity theft red flags.
How to Verify a Listing
Verification Checklist
- 1Reverse image search the photos
Drag photos into Google Images. If they appear on other sites or old listings, the photos may be stolen.
- 2Search the address on StreetSmart
See if the building exists and check for basic information. Verify it matches the listing.
- 3Check property records
SF Assessor's office (sfassessor.org) shows who owns any property.
- 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 agent will have keys and be able to show you inside. If they can't enter, walk away.
Verify Any Building for Free
Search any SF address to check if the building exists and see basic information. If a listing seems suspicious, verify it first.
Search SF BuildingsCommon SF 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 Sublet Scam
Someone claims they're subletting their apartment but doesn't actually have permission—or the apartment doesn't exist at all.
Safe Payment Practices
- Never pay before seeing the apartment in person
- Never wire money or use Venmo/Zelle with strangers
- Pay by check — made out to the landlord or management company name
- 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 than that is illegal in California
What to Do If You've Been Scammed
If You've Already Paid a Scammer:
- 1. Report to SFPD — File a police report at your local station
- 2. Report to the FTC — reportfraud.ftc.gov
- 3. Report to 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 Craigslist, Facebook, or wherever you found it
Where to Find Legitimate Listings
- Zillow / Apartments.com — More verified listings, larger landlords
- Direct from management companies — Search "[neighborhood] apartments" for property management sites
- Craigslist — Useful but high scam risk. Be extra careful.
- Facebook Housing Groups — Good for sublets, but verify everything
- Walking neighborhoods — "For Rent" signs on buildings are generally legitimate