You found a gorgeous Boston apartment priced way below everything else nearby.
Respectfully: start investigating.
Boston officials warn renters about scam listings where someone poses as a landlord or rental agent and asks for money before the renter has properly verified the property or person behind the listing.
Red flags can include unusually low rent, pressure to pay quickly, fake or copied listings, and requests for payment through wire transfers, gift cards or cryptocurrency.
Before sending money:
Check who owns the property. Use City of Boston property records and make sure the ownership information matches what you’re being told.
Verify the broker or agent. If someone claims to be a real-estate professional, check their Massachusetts license through the state’s official license lookup.
See the apartment when possible. If you’re moving from outside Boston, ask someone you trust locally to tour or verify the property for you.
Check the rental unit’s City registration when applicable.
Get the lease, fees and payment terms in writing before agreeing to anything.
And one important rule: Boston specifically advises renters not to use wire transfers to pay for an apartment.
If you think you’ve found a scam, report the listing to the platform where you found it and consider reporting it to local police and the Federal Trade Commission.
Boston apartments are expensive.
Getting scammed does not make them cheaper.
Rental-scam guidance was checked on August 17, 2026 using current City of Boston, Boston Police and Massachusetts consumer guidance. This article provides general consumer information; rental rules and official guidance can change.