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Identity Theft

Identity Theft Protection

Weekly Scam Alert: Scammers Are Copying Rental Listings to Steal Deposits

Money; illustration AI-generated using Claude

Be extra careful if you're hunting for an apartment, off-campus housing or a last-minute vacation rental. Reports of rental scams are surging across New England, according to a recent consumer alert from the Boston Division of the FBI. But this is far from a regional problem. Last year, more than 12,000 Americans nationwide reported real estate scams to the FBI, with losses topping $275 million.

One common version of this scam starts with fraudsters copying legitimate property listings and reposting them with different contact information. When an interested renter reaches out, the supposed owner claims they can't show the property because they're out of town. Then, they ask for a deposit by wire transfer or digital payment. Once your money is sent, the listing disappears.

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The easiest way to avoid rental scams is also the most important: Don't put money toward a property you haven't seen. The FBI also recommends checking public property records to confirm the landlord's identity, researching local rental prices and looking for reviews or references from previous tenants.

Lastly, if a landlord insists they can't meet you in person but need a deposit immediately, don't let the pressure rush you into paying. That's exactly what this type of scam depends on.

Other current scams to watch out for

Tax relief trap

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning people who owe back taxes to watch out for companies promising to settle their debt for "pennies on the dollar" — sometimes before even reviewing their finances. These businesses may charge hefty fees without actually resolving the debt, leaving you with less money and the same outstanding balance with tax authorities.

As an example, the agency singled out American Tax Service, which was accused in October 2025 by the state of Nevada and the FTC of impersonating government agencies to pocket tens of millions of dollars from consumers. It advertised on TV, radio and online before steering consumers into sales calls filled with promises of tax-debt relief.

There are legitimate options for people struggling with back taxes, but remember, only the IRS or your state tax agency can determine whether you qualify for a relief program. For unresolved federal tax problems, you can seek help through the IRS' Taxpayer Advocate Service, while state tax issues should go through the appropriate state comptroller or revenue department.

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Fake concert tickets

With Harry Styles set to start his 30-night residency at Madison Square Garden next week, fans are scrambling for tickets. Naturally, fraudsters are trying to capitalize on that demand, posing as sellers on social media and unofficial resale sites with offers of hard-to-find seats and suspiciously cheap tickets.

In a recent submission to the Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker, a Texas consumer said they saw a TikTok account offering three tickets to the Aug. 29 show. The supposed seller cycled through several different names and requested payment through Zelle and Chime. When the buyer refused to send money first, the seller sent what appeared to be a Ticketmaster transfer notification.

The issue? That message came from a Gmail address rather than Ticketmaster. Fortunately, the Texan recognized the red flags before losing any money to that fraudster.

Sold-out concerts or festivals often create a combination that scammers yearn for: scarce tickets and the fear of missing out. So whenever possible, buy your concert tickets through the event venue, an official ticketing platform or an authorized reseller. Be wary of strangers asking you to pay in unorthodox ways and don't let claims that "someone else is ready to buy" rush you into sending money.

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The most common types of scam you should know

Scammers are constantly upping their game, coming up with new and exciting ways (for them) of fooling their targets. AI-powered scams are one example of this; the technology is being used to reach a larger number of people with increasingly more convincing schemes

But some tricks never run out of style. Most scams fall into a handful of familiar patterns, and many long-standing schemes are still a threat today. They’ve just evolved to better fit today’s digital landscape

Imposter scams: Scammers often pose as trusted figures such as government agencies, banks, employers and even friends or family to pressure victims into sending money or sharing personal information
Phishing and spoofing scams:  These scams use emails, texts or phone calls that look like they’re from legitimate organizations. The goal is to trick you into clicking a malicious link, downloading malware or handing over sensitive information
Online shopping scams: Fraudsters can create fake online stores or listings with hard-to-find items at unusually low prices. After you pay for an article, what you end up getting might be counterfeit — or it may never arrive in the first place
Investment scams: This type of scam often arrives with promises of high returns from crypto, forex or other “exclusive” opportunities. Many involve long-term grooming tactics in which victims are encouraged to invest more over time before losing everything
Romance scams: Some scammers try to get into your pocket through the heart. They build a relationship with you on dating apps or social media, then convince you to give up money and assets by fabricating emergencies or investment opportunities

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What to do if you’re the target — or victim — of a scam

No one is immune to scams or fraud, but a few consistent habits can reduce their danger and the damage they cause

For starters, be skeptical of unsolicited messages, especially those creating fear or urgency. This might look like an email from your bank threatening to close an account, a text from an online marketplace saying you’ll lose a discount or a call from the IRS claiming they’ll report you to the authorities unless you “act now.”

Scammers love to use this sort of language because it puts you on the spot, which they expect will move you to action

Always verify any requests from an organization by cross-checking with its official phone numbers, email or website. And don’t click any links, download attachments or respond to messages you suspect may be fraudulent. A legitimate organization will not pressure you for instant action or secrecy

Now, if you’ve already sent financial information or money to someone you suspect is a scammer, you’ll need to take a few steps to protect your data and possibly get your money reimbursed. Contact your bank, credit card issuer or payment platform immediately and attempt to stop or reverse the transactions. Make sure to change any relevant passwords and enable multi-factor authentication to safeguard your accounts, too.

Reporting a scam might also help protect others. You can file a report with the Federal Trade Commission and with local authorities at your nearby police department or sheriff’s office. Identity theft victims should also consider temporarily freezing their credit

Lastly, review your financial statements and credit reports regularly, keep your software updated and limit how much personal information you share online. Scammers often rely on publicly available details to make their schemes more convincing