A New Rental Scam Using QR Codes in Madison

Rental scams are not uncommon in Madison's thriving real estate industry. But an increasingly regular twist has caught some tenants off unprepared. 

QR codes, which are blocks of black and white squares that mobile phones can readily convert into web URLs, are increasingly being utilized properly by property companies and landlords. 

However, some bad actors use identical QR codes to redirect unsuspecting renters to their own bogus websites. These fraudulent websites frequently resemble legitimate ones. 

Their purpose is to collect some type of payment, such as a deposit or rental fee, as rapidly as possible. If the scam continues undiscovered, the fraudster can use the given financial information to conduct subsequent fraudulent activities.

A new QR code rental scam

Use these measures to prevent being a victim of a QR code rental scam:

• Check the URL of the site the code directs you to to ensure it is what you expect.

• Don't transfer money for a property you've never seen or to a property owner you've never seen.

• Be wary of landlords that require payment in cryptocurrency, money transfers, or gift cards. These are similar to handing someone cash; there is minimal protection if the offer is fraudulent.

• Do not believe a monthly rental fee that is much lower than comparable properties in the same market. If an offer seems too good to be true, it generally is.

• Conduct a web search using the rental company's name along with phrases like "scam," "fraud," or "complaint." If you get a lot of hits, be cautious.

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