I Was Scammed by a Fake Landlord — What to Do Now
If you've sent money to a rental scammer, contact your bank or payment app right away to try to stop or reverse the transfer. Then report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, the FBI's IC3 at ic3.gov, your state Attorney General, and the platform where you found the listing. Keep every message, receipt, and screenshot.
Educational — information, not legal advice, and not attorney-reviewed. The exact rule depends on your state, city, and lease; the app shows the verified rule for where you live.
What this means
Realizing you've sent money to someone who was never a real landlord is upsetting, and it's normal to feel embarrassed or anxious about it. You are not alone — this happens to careful, sensible people, and there are concrete steps you can take right away that may help limit the damage and stop the scammer from reaching anyone else.
Start with the money. Contact your bank, credit card company, or the payment app you used (like Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, or a wire service) as soon as possible to explain what happened and ask whether the transfer can be stopped, reversed, or disputed. Acting quickly generally gives you the best chance, though results vary by payment method and how much time has passed.
Next, report the scam. File a report with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov, notify your state Attorney General's consumer protection office, and report the listing to the website or app where you found it so it can be taken down. Keep copies of every message, email, listing screenshot, and payment receipt — these records support your reports and any bank dispute. If the loss affects your ability to cover rent or find safe housing, calling 211 can connect you with local emergency assistance and housing resources.
What to do
- Contact your bank, card issuer, or payment app immediately to ask about stopping, reversing, or disputing the transfer.
- Report the scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI's IC3 at ic3.gov.
- Notify your state Attorney General's consumer protection office and report the listing to the platform where you found it.
- Gather and save every message, receipt, and screenshot related to the listing and the payment.
What to do next
If you're now searching for a new place, revisit our guide on how to verify a landlord is real before you send any money again.
Free help — always free
- Call 211 · in a crisis, call or text 988 (or 211.org) for local help and referrals.
- Find free legal aid at lawhelp.org.
- Read HUD tenant rights.
- Call 911 in an emergency.
Know exactly where you stand.
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