Rental Scams

Rental scammers frequently target student renters by using the following methods:

• Advertising a rate that is too good to be true
  
• Requesting money through social media or asking you to pay with giftcards
  
• Asking for personal information (e.g. social security number) without verifying who they are
  
• Expecting rent payments before a lease is signed
  

Visit the Public Safety has compiled a list of ways to identify signs of a rental scam and ways to avoid them.

Complete the following steps if you are a victim of a rental scam:

• Call the police. If you are not sure what district agency to contact, call UCPD (University of Cincinnati Police Department) at 513-556-1111. The officers can assist you by:
  • Taking a report or contacing the police agency who should take it,
  • Giving you contact information for UCPD’s Victim Services Coordinator,
  • Referring you to additional UC resources.
• Contact the listing website to request that they remove the listing.

You can find more information on housing scams at the following websites:

• Housing Scams
  
• Rental Listing Scams