Military moves often come with tight timelines, last-minute orders, and added stress — which scammers take advantage of through fake rental listings. According to the FTC, some scammers
create listings for homes that don’t exist or aren’t actually for rent, while others steal photos from legitimate listings and repost them with below-market prices.
Because they cannot show the property, scammers often make excuses for why you can’t visit in person. Another red flag is a “landlord” insisting you pay only by cash, gift card, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer to secure the rental— all methods that make it nearly impossible to recover your money.
The FTC recommends slowing down and doing basic checks before signing or paying for any rental. Search for the rental address online to see if it appears elsewhere with different details, verify listings with a drive-by or an in-person visit (or ask someone you trust to check it for you), and watch closely for unusual payment demands. Your base’s relocation or housing referral office may also help verify legitimate rentals and steer you away from known scams. The FTC urges consumers to report suspicious listings to ReportFraud.ftc.gov and their state attorney general.
MVSB is committed to helping military families protect their finances during major life transitions. We can review common rental-scam tactics with you, provide guidance on safe payment practices, and help you secure your accounts against fraud attempts. Contact us anytime to learn how we can support you during your move and keep your financial information protected.
