Avoiding Homelessness: Stopping a Rental Scam

The Housing Search

Lisa, a single mother of two, found a "perfect" apartment on Craigslist:

• Below market rent
• Great neighborhood
• Available immediately
• No credit check required

The Warning Signs

Before sending the $2,400 deposit, she:

1. Searched the phone number on Quiet-Report
2. Found 3 reports of identical listings in different cities
3. Noticed photos matched other legitimate listings
4. Saw the "landlord" was "out of country"

The Investigation

Using our platform's resources:

1. Reverse Image Search: Apartment photos stolen from legitimate listings
2. Address Verification: Property actually occupied by someone else
3. Phone Tracking: Number linked to multiple scam reports
4. Pattern Analysis: Same scam running in 12 cities

The Prevention

Lisa:

1. Alerted Authorities: Filed report with local police and FTC
2. Warned Others: Posted warning on rental platforms
3. Found Real Housing: Used our verified landlord resources
4. Educated Community: Shared experience at local housing workshop

The Impact

• Financial Saved: $2,400 deposit + first month's rent
• Housing Secured: Found legitimate apartment through our network
• Community Protection: Prevented 8 others from same scam
• Policy Change: Local Craigslist added scam warnings

Resources Developed

1. Rental Scam Checklist: Now used by housing nonprofits
2. Landlord Verification Guide: Step-by-step verification process
3. Emergency Housing Network: Safe alternatives for scam victims
4. Legal Resources: Template letters for deposit recovery