The hunt for a new home can be stressful enough — but for military families, the moving process often comes with unique challenges that scammers are eager to exploit. 

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, tight moving timelines and long-distance rental searches can force servicemembers and their families to secure new housing sight unseen. Unfortunately, these conditions create a perfect storm for fraudsters, who post fake rental listings, demand upfront deposits, and disappear before the victim ever receives a key. 

From bogus listings on reputable sites to sophisticated schemes that mimic legitimate landlords, rental scams rob homebuyers and renters of thousands of dollars — and, in many cases, their peace of mind during an already difficult transition.

At AAFMAA Mortgage Services LLC (AMS), we see firsthand how these scams impact the military community we’re proud to serve. “Military families face unique vulnerabilities that scammers ruthlessly exploit,” says Rob Greenbaum,  Chief Marketing Officer at AMS. “We have a responsibility to arm our military community with the knowledge and tools they need to protect themselves.” 

Related: How the BBB Helps Protect You and Others from Scams

Vacancy Presents Opportunity

Military families present attractive targets for scammers for several reasons. First, because military families have to relocate frequently and quickly, they are forced to make quick decisions, most often with new and unknown service providers. 

Deployment cycles create additional vulnerabilities. When servicemembers are deployed, spouses often handle financial decisions alone, sometimes in high-stress situations. Scammers prey on these circumstances, knowing that deployed servicemembers may be limited in their ability to verify information or intervene quickly when something seems off.

The military’s structured pay and benefits system also makes servicemembers attractive targets. Scammers know when military paychecks arrive, understand military benefits, and can craft convincing schemes around military-specific programs like VA Home Loans, military discounts, or Veteran benefits.

Related: Protecting Your Finances: How Military Personnel Can Avoid Scams and Fraud

How Rental Scams Work

In rental scams, fraudsters trick people into paying money or giving up personal information for a property that either does not exist, is not available, or is not legitimately offered for rent. They rely on creating urgency, manipulating trust and exploiting the competitive nature of the housing market, particularly in areas with high demand for affordable rentals.

These scams often start with a fabricated or misrepresented property listing. Criminals may steal photographs from real estate listings, copy legitimate property descriptions, or pretend to be the owner or manager of a real address. These listings frequently advertise rent prices far below market value and feature attractive images and persuasive descriptions designed to spark immediate interest.

To appear credible, scammers may invent personal backstories, such as being overseas for work or military service, to explain why they cannot meet in person. Notes Greenbaum: “Some impersonate legitimate property managers or rental platforms, using professional-looking email addresses and phone numbers, and even supplying fake leases, identification, or proof of ownership.”

Once contact is made, the scammer works to create urgency. They might claim there are multiple interested renters or stress that the property will go to whoever pays first. Often, they explain the need to finalize quickly because of a personal emergency or a pending move, pushing the victim to act before verifying the property.

If asked to view the property, the scammer may say they cannot show it because they’re out of town. They suggest driving by to see the exterior or providing access codes and keys that do not work. These tactics help them maintain the illusion just long enough to secure payment.

The scam reaches its peak when the fraudster requests money before the property has been seen in person. They may ask for a security deposit, first month’s rent, or an application fee, insisting it is necessary to hold the rental. Payment is often requested through methods that are difficult or impossible to reverse, such as wire transfers, payment apps, cryptocurrency, or prepaid debit/gift cards.

After receiving the money, the scammer often disappears, deleting the listing and blocking the victim. “People fall victim to these scams because the listings often appear on reputable websites, the photos and descriptions look convincing, and the urgency makes them feel pressured to act quickly,” says Greenbaum.

Related: How to Sell or Rent Your Home Due to Military PCS Transition

Rental “Red Flags” Every Military Family Should Know

Recognizing rental scam warning signs can save military families thousands of dollars and prevent identity theft. Be immediately suspicious of any landlord or rental agent who:

• requests payment through wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or prepaid debit cards instead of standard rental payment methods like checks or secure online portals
   
• pressures you to send money or sign a lease immediately without allowing time to view the property in person or verify the rental listing
   
• asks for personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank account details, or passwords
   
• offers rental deals that seem too good to be true, especially those claiming special “military discounts” 
   
• claims the property is available due to a sudden military deployment but can’t provide proper documentation or has inconsistent stories about their military service

Protecting Your Family’s Financial Future

Scam prevention starts with education and communication. Military families should establish clear financial communication protocols, set spending limits that require both spouses’ approval, and create code words or verification procedures for emergency financial requests.

Also, be sure to verify everything independently. If someone claims to represent a military organization, VA office, or financial institution, hang up and call the official number yourself. Don’t use contact information provided by the caller. “When dealing with housing, always verify rental properties through official channels and never send money without seeing the property or speaking with verified landlords,” says Greenbaum.

In addition, military families should use free credit monitoring services and review credit reports frequently, especially after PCS moves when new accounts and address changes are standard.

What to Do If You Become a Victim

If you become a victim of any scam, act quickly. Contact your bank or credit card company immediately to report fraudulent charges and freeze accounts if necessary. File reports with the Federal Trade Commission and with local law enforcement.

Servicemembers and Veterans should also contact their installation’s financial counselor, who can guide recovery steps and connect them with military-specific assistance programs. The Military Family Life Counselors (MFLC) program also offers confidential support for families dealing with the stress and emotional impact of financial fraud.

We’re Here to Help (With Homebuying, That Is)

Whether you’re thinking about buying, ready to start home-shopping in earnest, or considering a refinance, an AMS Military Mortgage Advisor will be happy to provide you with an honest and fair comparison of your mortgage options, including a wide range of affordable mortgages designed to meet your needs.

Ensuring Armed Forces Mutual Members obtain the best mortgage possible is our mission. Get your free mortgage assessment today or give us a call at 844-422-36