CALIFORNIA58 RELOCATION GUIDE — October 26, 2026. A surprisingly cheap apartment advertised online may be a genuine deal or a sophisticated imitation of a real listing. The Federal Trade Commission warns that fraudsters copy photographs and descriptions, replace the owner’s contact information and collect deposits for housing they do not control.

Verify before sending money

Search the street address and compare listings across independent sites. Find the management company’s own website and contact it through independently verified details. If renting from an individual, check available property records and ask how that person is authorized to rent the unit. Do not rely solely on a social media message or copied agent badge.

Insist on meaningful inspection

Visit the actual address where possible or ask a trusted person to do so. Live video can help, but does not prove legal ownership. Ask for the lease, all mandatory charges, start date, utilities and a clear process for receiving keys.

Protect your payment and identity

The FTC warns about payment requests involving gift cards, cryptocurrency and wire transfers. Sudden pressure to pay before seeing a property is another red flag. Share tax records and identity documents only after verifying the counterparty and application process. Save copies of the listing, receipts and correspondence.

For changes to local services, housing and planning, consult the California58 local newspaper directory and verify official requirements with the responsible agency.

Primary references

General information; fees, eligibility and personal circumstances vary.

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