*BULLETIN POST*- Rental Scams in Maine are Rising: How to Identify & Avoid Fraudulent Listings

📩 Have you encountered a rental scam? Share your experience with us so we can build public awareness of scams happening in Maine!
info@rentmaine.ME or visit www.rentmaine.ME

A few days into launching RentMaine.ME, I came across what seemed like a great rental listing here in Brunswick, Maine. It was a first-floor studio, small but modern, with plenty of natural light and updated appliances. Even better, it was pet-friendly—a rare find in this price range.

At just $750 per month, it seemed like an ideal option for two of my clients. It checked all the right boxes: affordability, location, and amenities.

I reached out to the landlord, introduced myself, and inquired about scheduling a showing on behalf of my clients. Their response was prompt and professional:

"Sounds great! Our property manager will reach out to set up a time."

A few hours later, I received a text message from the so-called property manager. Everything seemed normal at first—until they said:

🛑 “Before we can schedule a tour, we require a background check. It costs $29.99, but we’ll reimburse you at the showing.”

A Routine Request… or a Red Flag?

At first glance, a background check request might not seem unusual. Many landlords conduct screenings as part of the rental process. But something wasn’t adding up.

No Application, No Authorization Form - No Thank You
A legitimate landlord will always provide an official rental application before requesting a background check. This ensures the applicant understands what information is being accessed and gives formal consent. In this case, there was no application—just a demand for payment.

Who Pays for a Background Check Before Seeing the Property?
Typically, landlords charge application fees to cover background and credit checks, but these are paid alongside an application—not as a prerequisite for a showing.

The Unusual Offer of Reimbursement.
Most landlords are hesitant to spend money screening applicants they haven’t met yet. The fact that this so-called property manager was willing to refund my payment at the showing didn’t make financial sense.

So, I pushed back. “Can you send over the rental application and background check authorization form?”

And just like that—silence.

No response. No application. Nothing.

The Rise of Rental Scams in Maine: How to Identify and Avoid Fraudulent Listings

In an era where online marketplaces dominate the rental landscape, the risk of fraud has escalated dramatically. Digital rental scams have surged across Maine, with social media platforms, Craigslist, and lesser-known listing sites becoming breeding grounds for deceptive schemes. Victims report losing thousands of dollars to criminals posing as landlords, exploiting the competitive nature of the housing market.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that rental scams cost Americans tens of millions annually, with reports of fraudulent listings doubling in recent years. Many of these scams follow predictable patterns, making it possible—though not always easy—to spot the red flags before financial harm occurs.

The Anatomy of a Rental Scam

"It was a dream apartment—until I realized it didn’t exist." That sentiment echoes across consumer complaints filed with the FTC and local housing authorities. Fraudulent rental schemes typically rely on three key elements: psychological manipulation, digital deception, and urgency tactics.

1. Too Good to Be True Pricing

A below-market listing is often the first sign of a scam. Fraudsters attract victims with offers significantly cheaper than comparable units, creating an illusion of exclusivity. The goal is to rush prospective tenants into sending money before conducting due diligence.

📌 Verification Strategy:

• Compare the listing price to the median rental rates using Zillow’s Rental Index or HUD’s Fair Market Rent Data.

• If the price appears drastically lower than market trends, it warrants deeper scrutiny.

2. A Landlord Who Won’t Meet You

Scammers frequently pose as absentee landlords, claiming they are overseas, on military deployment, or otherwise unavailable to meet in person. In many cases, they refuse property tours altogether, instead offering fabricated lease agreements and stock photos to create a sense of legitimacy.

📌 Verification Strategy:

• Request a live virtual tour via Zoom or FaceTime to confirm the property’s existence and the landlord’s authenticity.

• Check ownership records via the Maine Registry of Deeds to verify the property’s legal owner.

3. Unusual Payment Requests

A legitimate landlord should never ask for security deposits, first month’s rent, or application fees via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo or Cash App. These transactions are difficult—if not impossible—to reverse.

📌 Verification Strategy:

• Use escrow services or verified rental payment platforms (e.g., Zillow’s Online Rent Payments).

• Never send funds until a signed lease agreement has been received and processed.

4. Stolen or Fabricated Photos

Many fraudulent listings use images copied from real estate websites or previous rental ads. Others use AI-generated stock images, which lack identifiable details like street views or unit-specific features.

📌 Verification Strategy:

• Perform a Google Reverse Image Search to check if the listing photos appear elsewhere online.

• Cross-reference the property address with tax records through Maine Revenue Services.

5. High-Pressure Sales Tactics

Scammers manufacture urgency by falsely claiming:

• “We have multiple offers—submit your deposit now to secure the unit.”

• “The listing will be taken down within 24 hours—act fast.”

📌 Verification Strategy:

• Legitimate landlords allow time for review and negotiation.

• If pressured to send money without due process, disengage immediately.

Legal Recourse: What to Do If You Encounter a Scam

Victims of rental fraud do have options, though financial recovery is often difficult. If you suspect a scam:

📌 Report the Incident:

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – Report Fraud

• Maine Attorney General’s Office – Consumer Protection

• Better Business Bureau (BBB) – Scam Tracker

📌 Notify the Listing Platform:
If the fraudulent ad appeared on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or an independent site, report it to prevent further victims.

📌 Warn Your Community:
Share scam details via local housing forums, Facebook groups, or Reddit’s r/Maine to increase awareness.

Finding Legitimate Rentals: A Guide for Maine Renters

With the proliferation of rental fraud, finding trustworthy listings requires due diligence and verification measures. Renters should consider the following best practices:

📌 Use Reputable Rental Platforms – Sites like RentMaine.ME, Zillow, and Apartments.com implement stricter verification standards than classified ad sites.

📌 Consult Tenant Advocacy Groups – Organizations like Pine Tree Legal Assistance offer legal resources and guidance on lease agreements.

📌 Verify Landlord Credentials – Before committing to a rental, cross-check the landlord’s identity using Maine’s public business registry (Maine Secretary of State).

📌 Request a Lease Review – Have a legal professional or housing advocate review the lease before signing.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Rental Fraud Prevention

As technology advances, fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated, leveraging AI-generated listings, deepfake property tours, and spoofed email addresses to appear legitimate. The key to avoiding these scams is a proactive, research-driven approach—a necessity for both tenants and landlords navigating Maine’s competitive rental market.

At RentMaine.ME, we are committed to providing verified listings and landlord-tenant support to reduce the prevalence of rental fraud. If you need assistance vetting a rental listing, reach out to our team—we’ll help ensure your next move is a secure one.

📩 Have you encountered a rental scam? Share your experience with us so we can build public awareness of scams happening in Maine!