Today, I attended the 2025 Rently Security Symposium in Atlanta, GA. Industry experts, law enforcement officials, and property managers came together to tackle one of the most pressing issues in single-family rentals: fraud, security, and squatting.
The sessions and panels were eye-opening, highlighting the increasing sophistication of rental scams, the growing threat of fraudulent listings, and the need for stronger security measures and legislative support. Here are some of the biggest insights from the event:
🚨 Fraudulent Listings Are Everywhere—And They’re Targeting the Most Vulnerable
Luke Lind, co-founder of Property Shield, shared some staggering statistics:
🔹 25% of all rental listings are fraudulent.
🔹 Scammers primarily target Hispanic renters, leveraging language barriers and urgency to exploit their victims.
🔹 These fake listings appear on trusted sites, surge during peak leasing seasons, and use stolen images to make them look real.
🔹 Facebook is now the epicenter of rental scams, accounting for far more fraudulent listings than Craigslist, which is a major shift from past years.
With Property Shield now part of Rently, they are taking major steps to detect and remove fraudulent listings before they can cause harm. Features like fake listing detection, agent notifications, and improved self-showing requests help keep renters safe.
🏠 Squatters = Trespassers. Period.
One of the most powerful discussions was the panel "United Against Fraud: Building Partnerships with Law Enforcement." Experts like Michael Edwards (DeKalb County Marshall's Office), Robert Hawes (FirstKey Homes), Ronald Burgess (Fulton County), and Captain Johnson (Fulton County Marshals) made it clear:
✅ Squatting is not a civil matter—it’s criminal trespassing.
✅ The challenge? Many police departments still treat it as a civil issue due to staffing shortages and outdated policies.
✅ The best defense: smart locks, security cameras, and strong relationships with law enforcement.
✅ 1017 removals are critical—this legal process helps quickly remove trespassers without costly eviction proceedings.
As Christine Tenley (Partner at Lewis Brisbois Law Firm) pointed out, having an adequate number of movers is key to executing rapid private set-outs, which are often cheaper and faster than formal evictions.
🔍 Rental Scams: A Growing Fear Among Renters
Rently’s survey of 500 U.S. renters revealed just how widespread fraud concerns are:
- 93% believe rental scams are common.
- 90% fear becoming a victim.
- 46% are "very concerned" about rental scams.
When asked what made fake listings look real, respondents pointed to:
📍 57% – Location
💰 55% – Price
🛎 52% – Seemed like a real service
📸 33% – High-quality photos
The most alarming stat? Scammers cash in fast:
💸 62% of victims lost more than $500
💰 25% lost between $1,001–$2,000
😱 8% lost more than $5,000
One respondent shared their experience:
"They pressured me to pay quickly and wouldn’t allow me to see the property until after payment. I should’ve known it was a scam."
🔧 Solutions: How to Fight Back Against Rental Fraud & Squatting
Renters are demanding better protections, and industry leaders are responding. Here’s what experts say can help prevent scams and unauthorized occupation:
🔹 Mandatory verification for all rental listings (73% of renters support this)
🔹 Community reviews & ratings for landlords (54% support)
🔹 Built-in scam detection tools on rental platforms (48% support)
🔹 Government hotlines for verifying suspicious listings (37% support)
Task forces are forming across the industry, spearheaded by companies like FirstKey Homes, to create faster, more effective responses to fraud and security threats.
🛑 The Newest Rental Fraud Trends
Scammers are constantly evolving—and so are their tactics. The latest?
1️⃣ Cloning legitimate leases to create fake rental agreements.
2️⃣ Increased appliance & HVAC theft in vacant homes.
3️⃣ Using urgency & pressure tactics to push renters into bad deals.
🏡 Simple But Effective Anti-Fraud Strategies
Experts shared real-world strategies that property managers and owners can use today:
✔ Check vacant homes every 10 to 14 days.
✔ Hire security patrols with vehicles displaying contact info.
✔ Encourage neighbors to report suspicious activity.
✔ Use decoy tactics, like:
- Placing kids' toys in the yard to make a home look occupied.
- Letting residents park an extra car in the driveway of vacant homes.
- Hiding vacancy signs inside drawers and cabinets.
🔥 Final Thoughts: The Best Way to Fight Rental Fraud? A Multi-Layered Approach
The symposium made one thing clear: Technology, Task Forces, and Boots on the Ground are the winning formula for fighting fraud in the rental market.
Biggest Takeaways
✅ Rental fraud is getting worse—but the industry is fighting back.
✅ Education is key—renters, law enforcement, and property managers must all stay informed.
✅ New fraud trends (like lease cloning) require constant vigilance.
✅ Smart security investments—from cameras to smart locks—can deter trespassers.
✅ Policy changes are needed to ensure squatting is always treated as a crime.
Keynote Speaker Matt Horace, Chief Security Officer at Imitation Homes, summed it up perfectly:
"We must push for better legislation, smarter security, and stronger partnerships to protect renters and property owners alike."
As rental fraud and security threats continue to evolve, staying ahead of the curve will be critical. What are you doing to protect your properties? Let’s keep the conversation going. 🔐