Your landlord may ask for deposits before you move into the property, though they shouldn’t ask for this before you have a chance to look over the unit and fill out an application. There are different deposits that they can ask for and it does depend on what is allowed in the area where you plan to rent from. But the thing to be wary about with these deposits if they ask you to do it through a payment app or a wire transfer, rather than through a check.

Scammers will usually ask you to submit a payment to them through methods that are difficult to reverse or dispute. This can include things like wire transfers, cash, and some money apps like Venmo or Zelle. Any legitimate landlord will be able to get deposits through a traditional channel. If you are worried about how they accept payment, then it is best to avoid this rather than letting the payment go through.

Some of the warning signs to be worried about include:

# The potential landlord asks that you submit your payment through some of the non-traditional methods, like a wire transfer, cashier’s check, or cash payment. These payments can make it more difficult to cancel the transaction or say that something fraudulent occurred.

# The landlord makes excuses as to why you need to use these payment apps. No legitimate landlord is going to ask you to pay your deposits through PayPal or Zelle.

# You may notice some other suspicious payment requests including paying with cryptocurrency or a gift card. You should never pay your deposits or anything else through this manner.

Never agree to do a non-standard payment method. Credit or debit card transactions will be more secure and they provide some different protections to help if theft or fraud do occur. And this is exactly why your scammer is going to work hard to avoid them in the first place. If the landlord won’t use them, then this is a sign you have a scam on your hands.

When you want an affordable apartment unit that is just enough for one, then a studio apartment can make a lot of sense. These will provide some good amenities to enjoy and a home that is all your own. Come and check out our studio apartment homes in Deerfield, IL to see whether they are the right option for you or not. We offer spacious studio apartments and other units based on your needs. Come and take a look and ask any questions you may have to see whether these units are right for you.