TalkScams Team · Source-backed educational guide · Not a community report
Gift cards requested as a security deposit
A fake landlord may require a prepaid card or gift-card code to cover the deposit. These are cash-like payments that usually do not offer practical recovery rights once the code is shared.
Source: U.S. Federal Trade Commission · Original advisory date: 2025-08-18
This summary is not a firsthand report or an endorsement or partnership by the source.
Warning signs to recognize
- A housing payment must be made with gift cards or prepaid codes.
- The supposed owner or agent has not been independently authenticated
How to check or protect yourself
- Reject that payment method and report the suspicious listing.
- Save listing and payment records and report deceptive rental adverts