Military Sublet Scams: How to Avoid Rental Fraud

Have you ever seen a rental ad where the “landlord” claims they’re deployed overseas and can’t show the place? Or maybe you’re in the military yourself, rushing to secure a short-term sublet during a PCS move—only to find out the unit doesn’t exist?

Both scenarios are part of a growing problem: military sublet scams.

At Easton Secure Solutions LLC, we’ve investigated countless cases in New York City, Long Island, and beyond where scammers either pretend to be service members renting out their unit or target actual military families who need housing fast. In this post, we’ll explain how these scams work, what red flags to watch out for, and how a private investigator can help if you’ve already been caught up in one.

 
Why the Military Connection?

The word military carries trust. Scammers know that if someone says they’re in the armed forces, most people won’t question it. At the same time, service members are frequent movers and often under pressure to secure housing quickly, which makes them easy targets.

That’s why scammers exploit both sides:

• Scammers posing as military members to trick civilians into paying deposits for fake sublets.
• Scammers targeting military families with fraudulent listings, knowing they’re often renting remotely or under tight deadlines.
   

  Side One: When Scammers Pretend to Be Military Members

  This version of the scam often looks like this:
• The ad says the owner is in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines.
• They claim they can’t meet because they’re deployed, stationed overseas, or “on leave.”
• They pressure you to pay a deposit quickly, often via wire transfer, Zelle, or gift cards.
• They promise to “overnight the keys” once you pay.

Of course, the keys never arrive—and sometimes the property doesn’t even exist.

🔎 Example (fictionalized but realistic):
A civilian in Brooklyn saw a Craigslist ad for a one-bedroom apartment. The “landlord” said he was a Marine deployed overseas and just wanted “someone trustworthy” to sublet his place. He offered a discount for paying upfront. After wiring $2,000, the civilian discovered the apartment was never for rent—it was already occupied by someone else who had no idea their address was being used.

 
Side Two: When Scammers Target Actual Military Families

The other side of the scam hits service members and their families directly. Military life often means sudden moves, temporary duty assignments, and securing housing sight unseen. Scammers prey on this urgency.

Here’s how:

• Posting fake listings on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or military housing groups.
• Offering “military discounts” as bait to encourage upfront payments.
• Collecting personal info from fake rental applications, which later fuels identity theft.
• Unauthorized sublets where scammers rent units they don’t actually own or control—leaving military families evicted once the real landlord intervenes.

🔎 Example (fictionalized but realistic):
A Navy family transferring to Long Island thought they found a perfect sublet in a military spouses’ Facebook group. They wired $2,400 to hold the place. When they arrived, another family was already living there—and the true landlord had never listed the property.

 
Red Flags of a Military Sublet Scam

Whether you’re military or civilian, the warning signs are usually the same:

• Rent is far below market value (too good to be true).
• Urgency and pressure: “Send the deposit today or it’ll be gone.”
• Untraceable payments: requests for wire transfers, Zelle, Venmo, or gift cards.
• Excuses for no in-person meeting: deployment, overseas orders, urgent travel.
• No paperwork: no official lease or poorly written agreements.
• Suspicious communication: vague answers, poor grammar, or refusing live video tours.
   

  How to Protect Yourself From Military Sublet Scams

Here are practical steps to safeguard yourself before sending money or signing a lease:

✅ Verify ownership through county property records.
✅ Google the address to check for duplicate or fake listings.
✅ Request a live video tour where the landlord shows themselves and the property.
✅ Avoid quick-pay apps unless tied to a signed lease with legal protections.
✅ Research the landlord using public records, reviews, or professional databases.
✅ Trust your instincts—if something feels rushed or suspicious, pause.
 

How a Private Investigator Can Help

If you’re unsure about a listing—or worse, if you’ve already been scammed—a licensed private investigator can step in. At Easton Secure Solutions LLC, we provide:

• Landlord and tenant verification – confirming who really owns or controls the property.
• Background checks – identifying scammers hiding behind fake names.
• Skip tracing – locating fraudsters who vanish after payment.
• Evidence gathering – compiling proof for law enforcement or legal cases.
• Asset searches – determining whether recovery of lost funds is possible.

This level of verification often saves clients thousands of dollars and weeks of stress.

 
What To Do If You’ve Already Been Scammed

• Stop communication with the scammer immediately.
• Save all proof—screenshots, texts, emails, receipts.
• File a police report.
• Report the fraud to the FTC and the Military Consumer Protection Office.
• Contact a PI to help track the scammer, verify evidence, and explore recovery options.
  • Visit our Background Checks page for further info:👉 Identity Verification Checks
     

Conclusion: Stay Vigilant, Protect Your Housing

Military sublet scams cut both ways: sometimes scammers impersonate service members to appear trustworthy, and other times they directly target military families in urgent need of housing.

By learning the red flags, taking time to verify listings, and working with professionals when in doubt, you can protect yourself from devastating losses.

👉 Ready to protect yourself from housing scams or need help investigating a rental fraud? Contact Easton Secure Solutions LLC today.

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✉️ Email: [email protected]
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