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Rental scams are surging: 4 ways to protect yourself before signing a lease
By Bill Spencer, Ninfa Saavedra at KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 10, 2026
· 2 min read
Rental scams are increasing across the U.S., with Houston among the cities hardest hit. Here’s how experts say you can avoid losing money.If you’re searching for a new apartment or rental home this summer, experts say it’s more important than ever to be on guard against rental scams.Texans carry ...
Key takeaway According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported more than 65,000 rental scam cases over the past year, with Americans losing more than $65 million to fraud.
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About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) . Magnolia News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 10, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Rental scams are increasing across the U.S., with Houston among the cities hardest hit. Here’s how experts say you can avoid losing money.If you’re searching for a new apartment or rental home this summer, experts say it’s more important than ever to be on guard against rental scams.Texans carry ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 10, 2026 by KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Magnolia News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Bill Spencer, Ninfa Saavedra at KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Magnolia News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Magnolia News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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