10 Signs You’re About to Get Scammed on a Sublet Listing

Finding a short-term sublet as a college student can be stressful, especially when wading through the sketchy world of Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Between fake listings, sketchy landlords, and deals that seem too good to be true, it’s easy to get caught in a scam.

To help you avoid losing your security deposit, identity, or sanity, here are 10 major red flags that scream “RUN!” when searching for a sublet.

1. The Rent Is Too Good to Be True

If you find a sublet in a prime location, fully furnished, for half the price of everything else in the area—it’s probably fake.

Reality Check: Scammers lure people in with unrealistically low prices to get them to send money quickly before realizing the place doesn’t exist. Always compare the price to similar listings on Zublet, Zillow, or Apartments.com before getting too excited.

2. The "Landlord" or "Tenant" Is Conveniently Out of the Country

"I’m currently overseas, but if you send me the deposit, I’ll mail you the keys." If someone is allegedly studying abroad, on a mission trip, or stuck in Antarctica, this is a scam. Legitimate renters will meet you in person or arrange for someone local to show the apartment.

3. They Refuse to Show the Place in Person

"Sorry, I can’t show you the apartment, but I promise it’s nice!" Reality Check: If a landlord or tenant can’t let you see the place before paying anything, they probably don’t own it. If they claim the unit is already occupied and they can’t show it, ask for a live video tour. If they refuse, move on.

4. They Want You to Pay Upfront Before Signing Anything

"Just send me the first month’s rent and deposit to secure it!" Legitimate renters will provide a written lease agreement before asking for any payments. Never send money—especially via Zelle, Venmo, or PayPal Friends & Family—without:

• A signed sublet agreement
• Proof that they actually have the right to sublet the place
• Seeing the apartment first

5. The Listing Has No Real Photos (or Stolen Ones)

If the post only has stock photos or blurry images, it’s suspicious. Even worse, some scammers steal photos from Zillow, Airbnb, or Apartments.com to make fake listings.

How to Spot It:

• Reverse image search the listing photos on Google to see if they’re copied from another site.
• If the photos don’t match the description (listing says "cozy studio," but photos show a six-bedroom house), it’s a scam.

6. The Listing Is Full of Weird Typos and Errors

"Hello sir/madam, I having big subletting room apartment of high quality. Please send funds quickly." If the post reads like a bad Google translation, assume the person behind it is not a real landlord. Legitimate listings will include clear, professional descriptions with important details like lease terms and move-in dates.

7. They Pressure You to Act Fast

"I have 10 people interested, but if you send me the deposit right now, I’ll hold it for you!" Scammers want you to panic and send money quickly, so you don’t have time to realize it’s a scam. A real landlord won’t pressure you to pay before you’ve seen the place or signed an agreement. Take your time, do your research, and trust your gut.

8. They Avoid Answering Basic Questions

If you ask, "What’s the lease term?" or "Are utilities included?" and they respond with something vague like "Yes, all is good, don’t worry," they’re probably hiding something—or scamming you. A real sublet listing will have clear answers about:

• Rent price and due dates
• Security deposit details
• Lease length and rules
• Utilities and internet costs

If they dodge these questions, move on.

9. They Request Payment in Gift Cards, Crypto, or Sketchy Apps

"Please send the deposit via iTunes gift card, Bitcoin, or Western Union." Never pay rent with a method that’s impossible to trace or refund. Stick to secure payment methods and never send money before confirming everything in writing.

10. The Address Doesn’t Match Up

If they give you an address, Google it.

• Does it match the listing description?
• Is it even a residential property?
• Are there any past scam reports about this address?

If an address doesn’t check out, it’s probably a fake listing.

How to Avoid Rental Scams Completely

Use Reputable Platforms for Student Housing Instead of gambling on Craigslist or sketchy Facebook posts, use verified sublet platforms where students can safely list and rent from other students.

• Zublet (zublet.com) – The best student-to-student sublet platform
• Zillow (zillow.com) – For verified apartment rentals
• Apartments.com (apartments.com) – For off-campus housing

If a listing seems sketchy, rushed, or unrealistic, trust your instincts and move on.

Final Thoughts

Scammers are getting smarter, but now you know what to watch for. Before sending any money or signing anything, verify everything and use safe rental platforms like Zublet to avoid scams. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stay safe and happy subletting!