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Being a landlord isn’t just about collecting rent anymore; it’s about staying one step ahead of increasingly clever scams.
According to BiggerPockets, 93% of landlords have discovered fraudulent tenant documents, and 84% have uncovered false income or employment claims. Fraud detection firm Snappt found that 6.4% of rental applications in 2024 were fraudulent, meaning one in every sixteen applications may involve deception. These aren’t isolated incidents, they are clear signs of an escalating threat.
At Mesa Properties, we’ve built systems to detect these risks before they impact your bottom line. In this post, we’ll explain what kinds of rental scams are spreading, key statistics you need to know, and how professional property management protects your investment.
Key Takeaways
The vast majority of landlords (over 90%) are encountering fraudulent documents from applicants.
False income and employment claims are extremely common among rental applications.
A meaningful percentage of applications (6.4% in 2024) include outright fraud.
Self-managing landlords are often more exposed to these pitfalls without robust tools.
Professional property management teams (like Mesa Properties) offer multilayered screening, secure listing practices, and ongoing monitoring that make the difference.
The Most Common Rental Scams Today
1. Fake Documents and Identity Fraud
Landlords are often encountering fake or manipulated documents, including fraudulent pay stubs, false employment histories, forged IDs, and altered credit reports. These allow bad actors to appear qualified when they are not. Today’s scammers use software that makes forgeries look authentic, so it takes trained eyes and digital verification systems to spot them.
2. False Income or Employment Claims
One of the biggest red flags is when tenants claim incomes or jobs that don’t check out. Sometimes these individuals hope to secure a rental they cannot afford; other times, it’s part of a larger scam where they intend to stop paying after moving in. If a landlord only verifies pay stubs without confirming employment directly, it’s easy to get burned.
3. Listing Hijacking and Fake Landlords
Scammers post legitimate listings but pose as the landlord. Prospective tenants are tricked into paying deposits or rent to someone who doesn’t actually own or manage the property. This hurts not only the tenant but also the real landlord, whose reputation may take a hit when frustrated renters show up demanding keys.
4. Overpayments and Refund Requests
As with many fraud scenarios, the overpayment trick is alive and well: a scammer “accidentally” pays more and requests you refund the excess. When the original check bounces, the landlord is left covering the refund.
5. Squatters and Professional Tenants
Some scammers go beyond the application stage. They move into vacant units without authorization or exploit tenant laws to delay eviction. A vacant rental left unmonitored can be an easy target, and the legal process of removal can be expensive and time-consuming.
Why DIY Landlords Are Particularly Vulnerable
Without professional tools, many landlords rely on basic screening or instinct. A pay stub looks real, a story sounds convincing, and a quick online credit check seems sufficient. But as the numbers show, nearly all landlords face some level of fraud attempts.
DIY landlords often lack:
Access to document fraud detection technology
Time to verify employment directly
Resources to monitor dozens of rental platforms for listing theft
Legal partners who can step in quickly if something goes wrong
That leaves them more exposed to scams that professional property managers can detect and block.
How Mesa Properties Protects You
Advanced Screening and Verification
Mesa Properties goes beyond surface-level checks. We use fraud-detection tools to verify IDs and financial documents, contact employers directly to confirm income, and pull comprehensive credit, eviction, and criminal background reports. Every application is cross-checked for inconsistencies. This multilayered approach makes it extremely difficult for fraudulent applicants to slip through.
Secure Listing Practices
We watermark photos and monitor listing sites to prevent hijacks. If a fraudulent ad appears online, we act quickly to have it taken down. By controlling the marketing process, we keep your property safe from misuse while protecting your reputation as the landlord.
Payment and Lease Safeguards
We use secure online payment systems that eliminate the risk of counterfeit checks or refund scams. Every dollar is tracked, verified, and deposited safely. Our leases are carefully designed to guard against loopholes professional tenants might exploit.
Ongoing Monitoring and Legal Preparedness
Scam prevention isn’t just about tenant placement, it’s about constant vigilance. We monitor vacant units to prevent unauthorized occupancy, restrict property access to approved parties, and are prepared with legal resources if an eviction ever becomes necessary. With Mesa, you’re never left scrambling for a solution; you already have one.
Protecting Your Reputation
It’s not just money that’s at stake. Rental scams can damage a landlord’s credibility when prospective tenants are scammed through fake listings. Mesa Properties safeguards your brand by ensuring legitimate communication channels and protecting your property’s online presence.
Why Professional Property Management Is the Best Scam Protection
Think of a property manager as both a security system and an insurance policy for your rental income. The cost of professional management is modest compared to the potential losses from one bad tenant or fraudulent application. A single scam could cost you:
Months of unpaid rent
Thousands in legal fees
Expensive property damage
The stress of dealing with deceitful tenants
Professional property management prevents these losses and ensures your rental continues generating reliable income. With Mesa Properties, you’re not just hiring someone to collect rent—you’re investing in long-term protection for your property.
FAQs About Rental Scams
How often do landlords face document fraud?
Extremely often. 93% of landlords report discovering fraudulent documents in tenant applications.
What about false income or employment claims?
Also widespread. 84% of landlords have uncovered false income or employment claims in applications.
Is there data on how many applications are fraudulent overall?
Yes. Snappt reports that 6.4% of rental applications in 2024 were fraudulent, which equals roughly one in every sixteen applications.
Can tools or software catch these scams?
Yes, identity verification and fraud detection software can be very effective, but they must be part of a broader process. Human review, employment verification, and background checks are all crucial to stopping scams.
What should I do if I suspect fraud?
Pause the process, verify documentation directly with employers or financial institutions, and consult legal advice if needed. With Mesa Properties, these steps are built into our routine screening, so you don’t have to scramble.
Are rental scams really getting worse?
Yes. Statistics show fraudulent activity is increasing year after year. As scammers adopt more advanced tools, landlords who lack professional systems are finding it harder to keep up.
Your Best Shield Against Rental Fraud
Scams are getting more complex and common, but you don’t have to face them alone. Mesa Properties combines advanced tenant screening, secure listing practices, fraud-proof payment systems, and legal expertise to safeguard your rental property.
If you’re ready to stop worrying about scams and start focusing on steady, reliable rental income, reach out to Mesa Properties today. We’ll protect your property, your profits, and your peace of mind.
Additional Resources
Do Property Managers Pay for Repairs? A Transparent Look at the Process
Everything You Need To Know About A 3 Day Notice To Pay Rent Or Quit
