Fake application fees: the scam targeting renters
Do not pay an application fee before you have seen the home, verified who is collecting it, and understood what it covers. Ask for the amount, purpose, receipt, screening process, and refund policy in writing.
Be wary of links that demand a credit report or identity documents through an unfamiliar site. A legitimate screening process should not require gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or panic.
If the fee request arrives before a viewing or changes after you apply, stop and verify independently. A small fake fee can be the first step toward identity theft.
Source: FTC rental-listing scams.