How long do I have to report a rental scam?

There is no deadline for reporting to the FTC, FBI IC3, or police. However, for financial recovery, speed is critical. Contact your bank or payment provider within 24 hours for the best chance of reversing a payment. Credit card disputes typically must be filed within 60 days.

Should I try to get the scammer to return my money?

No. Engaging with the scammer further is unlikely to produce results and may expose you to additional manipulation or threats. Some scammers will even try to scam you again by posing as a "recovery service" that claims they can get your money back for a fee.

Are there legitimate services that can recover scam money?

Be extremely cautious. "Recovery scams" are the second most common scam targeting fraud victims. The FTC, your bank, and law enforcement are the only legitimate channels for recovery. Any company that contacts you offering to recover your money for an upfront fee is almost certainly another scam.

I Got Scammed Renting an Apartment — Here's Exactly What to Do

If you have already sent money to a rental scammer, time matters. Follow these steps immediately to maximize your chances of recovery.

First: do not blame yourself. Rental scammers are professionals who run these schemes on dozens of victims simultaneously. The FTC reports over $65 million in losses since 2020, and the real number is much higher because most victims never report. You are not alone, and there are concrete steps you can take right now.

Step 1: Stop All Communication (But Save Everything)

Do not confront the scammer — they will simply block you and destroy evidence. Instead:

Screenshot all messages (texts, emails, Messenger conversations, WhatsApp chats)
Save the listing — screenshot or print the original listing before it gets taken down
Document payment records — bank statements, wire receipts, Zelle/Venmo confirmations
Note all contact details — phone numbers, email addresses, names used, profile URLs
Record timestamps — when you first contacted them, when you paid, when they stopped responding

Step 2: Contact Your Bank or Payment Provider (Immediately)

Speed matters. The faster you act, the better your chances of recovering money.

Credit Card

Call the number on the back of your card. Request a chargeback for fraud. Success rate: High. Credit card companies routinely reverse fraudulent charges.

Debit Card / Bank Transfer

Call your bank immediately. If the transfer is still pending, they may be able to stop it. If it has cleared, file a fraud dispute. Success rate: Medium. Depends on how quickly you act.

Zelle

Contact your bank (Zelle itself does not process refunds). Some banks will reverse Zelle payments reported as fraud within 24-48 hours. Success rate: Low to Medium.

Venmo / Cash App

Report fraud through the app. Contact their support team. Also contact your linked bank. Success rate: Low. These platforms treat payments as authorized.

Wire Transfer (Western Union / MoneyGram)

Call the company immediately to request a recall. If the recipient has not picked up the money, it can sometimes be stopped. Success rate: Very Low.

Gift Cards / Cryptocurrency

Once redeemed, these are essentially unrecoverable. Report to the gift card company anyway (some issue partial refunds). Success rate: Very Low.

Step 3: File Official Reports

Filing reports creates a paper trail that helps law enforcement track patterns and may help your case if recovery is possible.

FTC (Federal Trade Commission)
File at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The FTC tracks fraud trends and shares data with law enforcement nationwide.
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
File at ic3.gov. The IC3 handles internet-based fraud. Include all evidence (screenshots, payment records, communication logs).
Local Police Department
File a police report in your city. You will need the case number for insurance claims and some bank dispute processes.
State Attorney General
Your state AG's consumer protection division handles fraud complaints. Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint."
The Platform
Report the listing on whatever platform you found it (Craigslist, Facebook, Zillow). This helps protect other potential victims.

Step 4: Protect Your Identity

If you shared personal information (Social Security number, bank details, ID photos, or credit card numbers) with the scammer, take these steps immediately:

Place a fraud alert on your credit. Contact one of the three bureaus (Equifax: 1-800-525-6285, Experian: 1-888-397-3742, TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289). You only need to contact one — they are required to notify the other two.
Consider a credit freeze. A freeze prevents anyone from opening new accounts in your name. You can freeze and unfreeze for free at each bureau's website.
Check your credit reports. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com (the official free source) and review all three reports for unauthorized accounts or inquiries.
File an identity theft report. Visit IdentityTheft.gov for a personalized recovery plan from the FTC.
Monitor your accounts. Check bank and credit card statements daily for the next 90 days. Set up transaction alerts if you have not already.

Step 5: Protect Others

Help prevent the same scammer from victimizing more people:

Post a warning in local housing and apartment groups on Facebook and Reddit
Report to the BBB Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker
Leave a warning on any forum or group where you found the listing
Share details (scammer's contact info, listing details, methods used) so others can recognize the pattern

Emotional Recovery

Being scammed is a traumatic experience. It is normal to feel angry, embarrassed, or anxious. Remember:

This was not your fault. Scammers are criminals who do this for a living.
You are not stupid. These scams fool thousands of intelligent people every year.
Talk to someone. Whether it is a friend, family member, or counselor, do not carry this alone.
Channel your experience into helping others avoid the same trap.