At JumpOffCampus, your safety is our top priority. Unlike many other housing services, we have a unique screening process designed to prevent fraudulent listings from ever appearing on our platform. By working to match the name of the account holder to public property records, we successfully block over 99% of fake listings. You'll see this reflected in our listing statuses.

This guide is designed to empower you with the knowledge to handle the final, crucial steps of verification.

By following one core principle, you can avoid the vast majority of these fraudulent attempts: Always deal locally and meet the landlord or property manager in person before any money or sensitive information changes hands.

A legitimate landlord will want to meet you, and you should insist on seeing the property. If an in-person meeting isn't possible, a live, interactive video tour is the bare minimum—a pre-recorded video is not sufficient.

Red Flags & Common Scams

Be on high alert if you encounter any of the following. These are almost always indicators of a scam.

DO NOT Provide Payment Before a Viewing & Lease Signing

Scammers will create a sense of urgency to pressure you into paying for a deposit or first month's rent on a property you haven't seen. They often use untraceable methods.
  • Requests to wire money (e.g., Western Union, MoneyGram) are always scams. This is like sending cash—once it's gone, you cannot get it back.
  • Requests to pay with gift cards (e.g., Amazon, Apple, Google Play) are always scams. No legitimate landlord will ask for a security deposit in the form of gift cards.
  • Requests to deposit a cashier's check and send back the difference is a classic overpayment scam. The check will be fake, and the money you send back will be your own.
  • Requests to pay with P2P apps (e.g., Zelle, Venmo, Cash App) for a deposit are suspicious. These apps are primarily designed for people who know and trust each other, not for business transactions with strangers. If you use a P2P app, make sure you can mark the transaction as a "business purchase," which should provide more security.

DO NOT Provide Sensitive Information Prematurely

Your personal and financial data is valuable. Do not provide it until you have verified the property and the landlord are legitimate.
  • Never provide your bank account number, social security number (SSN), or photos of your driver's license before you have toured the property and are submitting a formal, written rental application.
  • Never share login information for any financial service.

BEWARE Of Suspicious Circumstances

Scammers create elaborate stories and listings to lure you in. Trust your instincts.
  • The "I'm Out of Town" Landlord: A very common scam involves a landlord who claims to be out of the country (for military service, missionary work, etc.) and cannot show you the property. They promise to mail you the keys after you send a deposit. This is a lie.
  • Prices That Are Too Good to Be True: A 3-bedroom apartment next to campus for $900/month? Scammers steal photos from legitimate listings and post them at an incredibly low price to attract victims quickly. Research the average rent in the area to know what's realistic.
  • High-Pressure Tactics: If a landlord pressures you to make an immediate decision or send money on the spot because "other applicants are interested," it's a major red flag.
  • Copied Listings and Vague Emails: If the description is poorly written or the landlord's emails are generic and don't answer your specific questions, be cautious. Try searching a distinctive phrase from the listing online—you may find it's been copied from another site.

How to Rent Safely on JumpOffCampus

A safe and successful rental experience is built on verification and common sense.
  • Look for the Screening Status: Our team provides a first line of defense. Look for "✅ Screening Complete" and "🟡 Screening in Progress" indicators on JumpOffCampus listings. Even with a "Screening Complete" status, it is still up to you to double-check everything before sending money or signing a lease.
  • Insist on a Viewing: This confirms the property exists and is available. If you're renting from out of state, demand a live video tour. Ask the person to perform specific actions, like turning on a faucet or opening a closet, to prove it's not a recording.
  • Meet the Landlord/Manager. Meeting in person helps verify their identity and allows you to ask questions. It establishes a professional relationship from the start.
  • Verify the Address. Search the property address online to see if it's listed elsewhere with different contact information or a different price.
  • Use a Secure Payment Method. For actual payments (after signing a lease), use a check or a secure online portal provided by a reputable property management company. This creates a paper trail. Avoid paying large sums in cash.
  • Read the Lease Carefully. A legitimate landlord will provide a detailed lease agreement. Read it thoroughly before signing or paying a security deposit.
  • Trust Your Gut. If something feels off, it probably is. It's better to walk away from a potential scam than to lose thousands of dollars.
By staying vigilant and following these guidelines, you can confidently find your next home and avoid falling victim to rental scams.

While our screening process provides a powerful layer of security, your vigilance is the final and most important line of defense. If you encounter a suspicious listing on JumpOffCampus, please report it to us immediately. You'll be protecting yourself and the entire student community.