Apartment Scams Targeting U of U Students: Red Flags and How to Protect Yourself

Apartment scams are not rare, and University of Utah students are one of the most targeted groups. Every year, students lose hundreds or even thousands of dollars to fake listings, impersonated landlords, and too-good-to-be-true deals. Most of these scams work because students are under time pressure and unfamiliar with how renting actually works.

At Find My Place, we see scam patterns repeat every leasing cycle. This guide breaks down how apartment scams target U of U students, the red flags most people miss, and how to protect yourself before money leaves your account.

Why U of U students are a prime target

Scammers target students because:

• Many are first-time renters
• Housing demand spikes before each semester
• Students often search from out of state
• Urgency makes people skip verification steps

Scammers rely on speed and pressure. The more rushed you feel, the more likely you are to overlook warning signs.

The most common apartment scams near U of U

Fake listings copied from real apartments

This is the most common scam.

How it works:

• A scammer copies photos and descriptions from a real apartment listing
• They repost it on social media or classified sites
• The price is slightly below market to attract attention

When you reach out, the scammer claims to be the owner or manager and asks for a deposit to “hold the unit.”

Red flag:
If the listing price is noticeably lower than similar apartments near campus, assume it is fake until proven otherwise.

Impersonating real property managers

Some scams are more sophisticated.

How it works:

• Scammers use the name of a real apartment complex
• They create fake email addresses or profiles
• They send professional-looking messages and documents

Students believe they are dealing with a legitimate property until payment is requested.

Red flag:
Emails that do not match the official domain of the apartment or management company.

Lease takeover scams

Lease takeovers are common in student housing, which makes them easy to exploit.

How it works:

• Someone claims they need to transfer their lease urgently
• They ask for a deposit or application fee upfront
• After payment, communication stops

Red flag:
Anyone who refuses to involve the property management office in the transfer process.

“Out of town” landlord excuses

This scam uses sympathy and urgency.

How it works:

• The scammer claims they are out of state or overseas
• They say they cannot show the unit
• They promise to mail keys after payment

Red flag:
No legitimate landlord rents apartments without verification or access through management.

Pressure-based scams

Pressure is the scammer’s strongest tool.

Common phrases include:

• “I have five other people interested”
• “You need to send the deposit today”
• “The unit will be gone by tonight”

Red flag:
Real housing opportunities allow reasonable time to review documents and ask questions.

Red flags U of U students often overlook

You are asked to pay before seeing anything official

Never send money before:

• Touring the unit or verifying management
• Seeing a real lease
• Confirming ownership or authority

Payment requests before verification are the biggest warning sign.

Payment methods are unusual

Scammers often ask for:

• Gift cards
• Wire transfers
• Payment apps with no buyer protection
• Cryptocurrency

Legitimate apartments use traceable, standard payment methods.

The lease looks generic or incomplete

Fake leases often:

• Lack specific addresses
• Miss legal language
• Have mismatched names or dates

If the lease looks like a template with blanks filled incorrectly, pause immediately.

Communication avoids phone or video calls

Scammers prefer text or messaging apps because they can disappear easily.

Red flag:
Refusal to speak live or show identification.

Stories do not add up

Details change over time.

• Rent amounts shift
• Move-in dates change
• Ownership explanations evolve

Inconsistencies are not accidents. They are warning signs.

High-risk times for scams near U of U

Scams increase during:

• Summer before fall semester
• Weeks after on-campus housing decisions
• Late July and early August
• Times when students are desperate to secure housing

If you are searching during these windows, slow down and double-check everything.

How to protect yourself from apartment scams

Verify the property independently

Do not rely on information provided by the person contacting you.

Steps to take:

• Look up the apartment separately
• Call the official phone number
• Check that names and contact details match

Never trust links sent directly by a stranger.

Always involve property management

For apartments and lease takeovers:

• Contact the management office directly
• Confirm availability and pricing
• Verify the transfer process

If management does not know the person, walk away.

Never send deposits to “hold” a unit

Legitimate apartments use applications, not deposits, to reserve units.

Deposits are typically paid after approval, not before.

Use written communication and save everything

Keep records of:

• Emails
• Text messages
• Listings
• Payment requests

Documentation helps if you need to report fraud or dispute charges.

Trust pricing patterns

If an apartment near U of U is priced far below similar options, question it.

Scammers rely on emotional reactions to deals that feel rare.

Talk to someone before sending money

A second opinion can save you thousands.

Before paying anything:

• Ask a friend
• Ask a family member
• Ask a housing office

Scams often look obvious to outsiders.

What to do if you think you are being scammed

Stop communication immediately

Do not explain. Do not negotiate. Stop responding.

Do not send any money

Even small amounts encourage further attempts.

Report the listing

Report it to:

• The platform where it was posted
• Campus housing offices if relevant

This helps protect other students.

If you already sent money

Act quickly:

• Contact your bank or payment provider
• File a fraud report
• Save all documentation

Speed matters when trying to recover funds.

Why first-time renters are most vulnerable

Most students are not taught:

• How leases work
• When deposits are normal
• What verification looks like

Scammers exploit this knowledge gap. This is not a failure on the student’s part. It is a system problem.

How Find My Place helps reduce scam risk

Find My Place exists to create safer housing searches for students.

• Verified listings and student-focused information
• Clear explanations of leasing processes
• Tools that reduce reliance on unverified sources

Our goal is to make scams harder to succeed by increasing transparency.

Final takeaway

Apartment scams targeting University of Utah students are common, especially during peak housing season. Scammers rely on urgency, confusion, and inexperience.

You protect yourself by slowing down, verifying independently, and refusing to send money without confirmation. If something feels off, it probably is.

Housing decisions should feel careful, not rushed. Taking extra time now can save you from losing money, housing security, and peace of mind later.