Important: Homzora is a housing research publisher, not a law enforcement agency, government agency, or law firm, and nothing on this page is legal advice. This article summarizes public guidance from the FTC, the FBI, and state and local officials. If you have lost money or think you are being targeted, contact your bank, local police, and the agencies listed below.
Rental scams are a real risk for people searching for housing in Denver. The Federal Trade Commission says people reported nearly 65,000 rental scams from January 2020 to June 2025, with about $65 million in losses and a median loss of $1,000 (FTC Data Spotlight, Rental scams hit home (December 2025)). With the median gross rent in the city of Denver at $1,831 a month (Homzora Denver dataset, Table B25064), a scammer asking for first month’s rent and a deposit can take thousands of dollars before a renter realizes the listing was fake.
This guide explains the most common rental scams, the warning signs the FTC and other officials identify, how to check a listing in Denver, and where to report a scam in Colorado.
Quick answers
- Biggest red flags: an owner who cannot show the property, pressure to decide fast, and requests for wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency (FTC, Rental Listing Scams).
- Report a scam: to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, local police, and the site where the ad appeared (FTC, Rental Listing Scams).
- State complaint: Colorado Attorney General, Stop Fraud Colorado.
- Below market rent: a price far under the local median of $1,831 a month is a reason for extra caution (Homzora Denver dataset, Table B25064; FTC Data Spotlight, Rental scams hit home (December 2025)).
How rental scams work
The FTC describes several common schemes. In hijacked listings, scammers copy a real rental ad and change the contact information. Others make up listings with below market rent, send a $1 credit check link that signs people up for recurring paid memberships, collect Social Security numbers and pay stubs for identity theft, or offer fake self guided tours with lockbox codes (FTC Data Spotlight, Rental scams hit home (December 2025)). The FTC says that in the 12 months to June 2025, about half of reports said the scam started with a Facebook ad, and 16 percent said Craigslist (FTC Data Spotlight, Rental scams hit home (December 2025)).
Warning signs
- The owner says they are out of the country or gives another excuse for not showing the property (FTC, Rental Listing Scams).
- Someone pressures you to decide quickly; the FTC says to walk away (FTC, Rental Listing Scams).
- You are told to pay only by wire transfer through Western Union or MoneyGram; the FTC says wiring money, sending gift cards, or paying with cryptocurrency is the same as sending cash (FTC, Rental Listing Scams).
- The home is listed for sale rather than for rent, which the FTC calls a big red flag (FTC, Rental Listing Scams).
- You are asked for your Social Security number or credit score before you have agreed to rent; the FTC notes legitimate landlords usually run credit checks themselves (FTC Data Spotlight, Rental scams hit home (December 2025)).
Who gets targeted
Anyone can be targeted, but the FTC found that people aged 18 to 29 were three times more likely than older adults to report losing money to a rental scam (FTC Data Spotlight, Rental scams hit home (December 2025)).
How big the problem is
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received 12,368 complaints in its real estate category in 2025, with reported losses of about $275 million, up from 9,359 complaints and about $174 million in 2024 (FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, 2025 Internet Crime Report; FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, 2024 Internet Crime Report). That category covers rental and timeshare fraud as well as real estate investment fraud, and it counts complaints rather than individual victims (FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, 2025 Internet Crime Report).
Section 8 waiting list scams
The FTC warns that scammers create websites that look like registration sites for Section 8 waiting list lotteries. It says there is no fee to register for a Section 8 waiting list, housing authorities do not charge fees, and they will not reach out to you by phone or email to suggest joining a list. To get on a list, contact your local housing authority directly (FTC, Section 8 scammers cheat people seeking housing).
Where to report a rental scam
- The FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (FTC, Rental Listing Scams).
- Your local police department and the website where the ad was posted (FTC, Rental Listing Scams).
- Colorado Attorney General, Stop Fraud Colorado, or call 800.222.4444.
- The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center for internet fraud (FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, 2025 Internet Crime Report).
If you already paid or shared personal information
- Contact your bank or payment service right away and ask whether the payment can be stopped or reversed.
- If you shared personal information, report identity theft to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov to get a recovery plan (FTC, What to know about identity theft).
- Consider a free credit freeze with each of the three credit bureaus; while it is in place, nobody can open a new credit account in your name (FTC, What to know about identity theft).
- An initial fraud alert asks businesses to check with you before opening an account, and the bureau you contact must tell the other two (FTC, What to know about identity theft).
- Keep every message, receipt, and screenshot for police and your bank.
How to verify a landlord or listing
- Search the address online and see whether the same photos appear under another name or a different price.
- Check whether the home is listed for sale; a rental ad for a home that is for sale is a warning sign.
- Look up the property owner in the county property records and compare the name with the person you are dealing with.
- Ask for the landlord’s or management company’s full name, office address, and license number where one applies, then confirm them independently.
- Tour the unit in person, or have someone you trust do it, before you pay anything.
Safer ways to pay
Pay only after you have seen the unit, verified the landlord, and signed a lease you have read. Use a payment method that leaves a record and can be disputed, such as a check or a payment through an established property management portal, and get a written receipt. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, and payment apps sent to strangers, which are hard or impossible to reverse.
Protect your personal information
- Do not send your Social Security number or bank details until you have verified the landlord and agreed to rent.
- Be wary of links to run a credit check sent by text or social media.
- Use a reusable screening report from a known company where landlords accept one.
- Keep copies of every message and document you send.
Scams that target students and newcomers
People moving to a new city, including students and those relocating for work, are often targeted because they cannot easily tour units in person. If you are moving from far away, ask a friend, coworker, or a trusted local agent to see the unit, request a live video tour where the person shows the street and the front door, and be extra cautious with sublets advertised in social media groups.
Common scam scripts
- “I am out of the country, so I will mail you the keys after you pay.”
- “Several people are interested, so send the deposit today to hold it.”
- “Click this link and pay $1 for a quick credit check.”
- “Use the lockbox code to tour on your own, then pay online.”
- “I can get you to the top of the Section 8 list for a fee.”
Questions to ask before you pay
- Can I see the unit in person, or on a live video call showing the street and front door?
- Who owns the property, and how are you connected to the owner?
- Can I see a copy of the full lease before paying anything?
- What payment methods do you accept, and will I get a receipt?
- Is there an office or management company I can call back at a published number?
A real landlord can answer these questions easily. Vague answers, excuses, or anger at being asked are reasons to walk away.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a Denver rental listing is fake?
Be cautious if the owner will not show the home, wants payment before you see it, asks for wire transfers or gift cards, or the home is listed for sale (FTC, Rental Listing Scams).
Where do I report a rental scam?
To the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, local police, the listing website (FTC, Rental Listing Scams), and Colorado Attorney General, Stop Fraud Colorado.
Do I have to pay to join a Section 8 waiting list?
No. The FTC says there is no fee to register (FTC, Section 8 scammers cheat people seeking housing).
Important notice
Homzora is not affiliated with the FTC, the FBI, or any attorney general’s office and cannot investigate scams or recover money. Reporting tools and agency guidance change over time, so use the official websites linked in this article, and contact a licensed attorney or legal aid office for advice about your situation.
Sources
- FTC Data Spotlight, Rental scams hit home (December 2025)
- Homzora Denver dataset, Table B25064
- FTC, Rental Listing Scams
- Colorado Attorney General, Stop Fraud Colorado
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, 2025 Internet Crime Report
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, 2024 Internet Crime Report
- FTC, Section 8 scammers cheat people seeking housing
- FTC, What to know about identity theft