Section 8 fraud is on the increase nationwide. The high demand on the rental market and long queues create a point of weakness for the criminals: they present themselves as helpful landlords, demand illegal payments, or steal personal information.
The victim may lose money they’ve worked hard to earn, and in some cases, even their voucher. You can ensure your home search stays safe by learning how to spot Section 8 scams in Baltimore and performing some basic checks.
Why the Risk Keeps Growing
Most rental searches now happen online. The scammers replicate actual photos, alter the contact details, and place the advertisement on the marketplaces or social media.
In 2024-25, HUD and a number of public housing agencies (PHAs) issued warnings to directors that counterfeit advertisements and phishing e-mails saying voucher holders were available were rapidly spreading on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
The Three Most Common Section 8 Scams
- Fake listings. A scammer reposts a real apartment, claims it is one of the homes for rent that accept Section 8 vouchers, then pressures you to wire a “holding fee.” Victims never meet a genuine landlord.
- Up-front fee tricks. Someone pretending to be an agent or PHA official asks for cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency for an “expedited inspection” or “priority application.” Legitimate agencies never collect money this way.
- Phony voucher events. Flyers or posts announce a one-day giveaway of vouchers or instant placement. In February 2025, dozens of renters in Los Angeles drove to a park for a fake distribution event and lost both money and personal data.
Warning Signs and Red Flags
- Rent is far below market for the neighborhood
- Owner refuses to meet in person or show ID
- Payment is demanded before you see inside
- Instructions to keep the deal “secret” from the PHA
- Requests for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
- No willingness to schedule the HUD inspection
How to Verify a Listing
Look up the owner’s name in county tax records. If the advertiser’s name does not match, ask for written proof that they manage the property. Search the address in your city’s rental-license database and confirm the permit is active. Call the PHA to see whether the landlord is registered to accept vouchers. Taking ten minutes to confirm ownership can stop Section 8 housing fraud before it starts. We’ve seen that verified ownership and current rental licenses make the biggest difference in keeping renters safe. It’s always worth confirming those details before moving forward.
Meet Before You Pay
View the home in person, or, if you are relocating, schedule a live video tour where the host shows today’s date onscreen. Ask to see closets, light switches, and utility meters—simple checks that prove real access. Then drop the address into Google Street View and confirm that door colors, porches, and nearby landmarks match the live feed. Any mismatch is a signal to walk away. Finally, request the landlord’s photo ID plus either a deed or a recent property-tax bill. Honest owners comply quickly; scammers vanish.
Skip Fake Fees
Federal rules allow only standard application screening charges, and many PHAs cap those costs. Never send money for “replacement keys,” “tour deposits,” or “pre-inspection cleaning.” If a stranger demands these extras, end the conversation and record the details. That request itself is a Section 8 violation. We encourage everyone to speak up if something doesn’t feel right. Reporting suspicious listings helps protect other families and keeps the housing process fair for everyone involved. Once your voucher is approved and your new home is verified, our Move-In Checklist for Section 8 Renters in Baltimore can help ensure everything goes smoothly on move-in day
How to Report Fraud
The primary section 8 fraud number is the HUD Office of Inspector General (OIG) Hotline: 1-800-347-3735. You can also file an anonymous form directly through their official site. Many housing authorities run their own tip lines; for example, Los Angeles County’s confidential line is 877-881-7233.
How to Report Someone Abusing Section 8
In case you think that a tenant is sub-letting without permission or a landlord is getting side payments, both of which are types of section 8 housing abuse, take some facts: the address, dates, and names of the people involved. Contact your PHA or HUD OIG hotline. Detailed complaints that are clear assist investigators in identifying patterns and preventing Section 8 violations within the shortest time possible.
Protect Your Personal Information
Fraudsters tend to use the guise of housing personnel and demand social security numbers or bank information. Never call official numbers on a site that you have not trusted and have just been sent a text. In case a person claiming to be employed with HUD requests their full name and employee ID, hang up, and call a confirmed HUD office to verify.
Trusted Resources
- HUD OIG Hotline – 1-800-347-3735 and hudoig.gov/hotline
- Local Public Housing Agency – fraud links and payment standards on its website
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) – how to avoid rent fraud.
- AffordableHousing.com – valid listings marked to accept vouchers.
With these pages bookmarked, it is easy to take action as soon as you find section 8 housing fraud.
Stay Informed, Stay Safe
Create news notifications of “Section 8” and your city. Issue warnings to the neighbors and voucher-holder forums. The more renters share information, the more difficult it is to get scammed. If you’re new to the voucher system, our Baltimore Section 8 Housing Voucher Guide can help you understand how local PHAs operate and what to expect during the process. Store electronic and physical copies of your voucher, inspection reports, and all rent receipts to demonstrate compliance in case of inquiries.
At The Mt Washington Group, our leasing team helps renters stay informed about verified listings and avoid fraudulent ads. We take pride in offering safe, well-maintained homes that meet Section 8 standards.
Moving Forward
Section 8 offers homes to millions, but its value also attracts scams. Protect your wallet and subsidy by verifying ownership, avoiding sketchy prices, and reporting violations. Finding safe and reliable housing should never feel uncertain.