Boston’s competitive rental market can create opportunities for scammers. When apartments move quickly and renters feel pressure to act fast, mistakes are easier to make. Here’s how to protect yourself.
The Golden Rule: Never send money until you’ve verified the listing and who you’re paying.
Red Flags to Watch For
Poor grammar or unusual phrasing
Many scams originate overseas or are copied from other listings. Messages with strange wording, inconsistent details, or obvious grammar errors can be a warning sign.
Price that seems too good to be true
If a listing is dramatically cheaper than similar apartments, be cautious. For example, a $1,500 studio in Back Bay is extremely unlikely. Scammers often use low prices to attract desperate renters.
Refuses to show the apartment
Legitimate landlords or brokers should be able to arrange an in-person or virtual tour. If they claim they are "out of the country" or "unavailable" but still want a deposit, it is almost certainly a scam.
Requests unusual payment methods
Be cautious if someone asks for wire transfers, cash, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. These payment methods are difficult to trace or recover. Legitimate landlords usually accept checks, bank transfers, or secure payment platforms.
Pressure to act immediately
Scammers often create urgency to prevent you from verifying details. Statements like “someone else is about to rent it” or “you must send the deposit today” are common tactics.
Refuses to provide basic contact information
A legitimate landlord, broker, or property manager should provide a phone number, email, and full name. In Boston, many listings also involve licensed real estate brokers.
Generic, low-quality, or stolen listing media
Be cautious of listings with very few photos, blurry images, or AI-generated looking interiors. Legitimate listings in Boston usually include multiple photos and often a video tour or Matterport 3D tour.
Common Boston Rental Scams
Ghost Listings
Some agents post attractive apartments that are not actually available in order to collect your contact information. After you inquire, they say the unit is already rented but ask for your email or phone number so they can send you other listings. This is often used as a lead generation tactic.
The Bait and Switch
Some agents advertise an attractive apartment on sites like Zillow or Apartments.com at a very competitive price. When you contact them, they reply saying the unit has just been rented but offer to show you a “similar” apartment that costs more. Sometimes this is aggressive sales behavior; other times it can be misleading advertising used to generate leads for different listings.
The Fake Owner Scam
Someone pretends to be the property owner or landlord even though they do not control the property. They may even show the apartment if they have temporary access to the building, then collect deposits from multiple renters.
The Fake Application Fee Scam
Scammers ask renters to pay an application fee or credit check fee before touring or applying for the apartment. After the payment is sent, the scammer disappears.
The Tenant Showing Scam
In some cases, a current tenant or temporary occupant shows the apartment and claims they are renting it on behalf of the owner. After collecting deposits or application fees from several renters, they disappear.
The Tour Fee Scam
Some scammers charge a fee to tour an apartment or claim it will be applied toward a deposit later. Legitimate rentals rarely charge a tour fee.
How to Verify a Listing
- Check property ownership
Use Boston’s Property Assessing database to confirm who owns the building. - Visit the apartment before paying
If possible, never send money without seeing the apartment in person and walking through the unit. - Meet in a normal business setting
Legitimate landlords or brokers will usually meet at the property or at an office. Be cautious if someone insists on meeting in unusual locations. - Verify the broker’s license
Licensed real estate brokers and agents in Massachusetts are regulated by the state. You can verify a license or file a complaint through the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons.
Safe Payment Practices
Safer Payment Methods
Payment Methods to Avoid
What to Do If You've Been Scammed
If you believe you’ve been targeted by a rental scam, act quickly. These steps may help limit financial damage and prevent others from being affected.
- Stop communication immediately
Do not send additional money, even if the person promises to return your original payment. - Document everything
Save all evidence, including emails, text messages, listing screenshots, payment receipts, and contact information. - Contact your bank or payment provider
If you paid by credit card, bank transfer, or online payment platform, report the transaction immediately. They may be able to reverse or dispute the charge. - File a police report
Contact the Boston Police Department or your local police department to report the scam. - Report the scam to the FTC
Submit a complaint at reportfraud.ftc.gov so the Federal Trade Commission can track fraud patterns. - Report the listing
Flag the listing on the platform where you found it, such as Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Zillow, or Apartments.com, to help prevent others from being scammed.
Who to Contact
Non-Emergency Line. Call (617) 343-4633
Report suspicious listings or fake landlords. Call (617) 635-4500 or 311
Consumer protection and fraud complaints. (617) 727-8400
National scam tracking and reporting. reportfraud.ftc.gov