Verify your roommate before you move in
$65 million lost to rental scams last year. 88% of victims found the fraudulent listing on Facebook. Before you send a deposit, sign a lease, or share a home with a stranger — verify they are who they claim to be.
$65M
Lost to rental scams (FTC 2025)
93%
Of renters believe scams are common
88%
Of scam listings found on Facebook
10s
To verify with SnapTrust
You're about to live with a stranger
Tight housing markets force people to rush decisions. Facebook groups, Craigslist, and SpareRoom connect you with strangers — but a profile name and a few messages aren't enough to know who you're really dealing with.
Deposits vanish overnight
$65 million in rental scam losses reported to the FTC. Ghost landlords collect deposits and disappear. Wire transfers can't be reversed. 90% of renters are worried about falling victim.
Facebook is ground zero
88% of rental scam victims found the fraudulent listing on Facebook. 50% of all rental scams in the past year started on Facebook. Fake profiles with stolen photos are trivially easy to create.
Background checks aren't enough
Property managers only catch 75% of fraudulently altered applications — down from 90% pre-pandemic. Background checks verify a name, not the person standing at your door.
$350M+ lost across platforms
Rental scams aren't limited to one site. Across Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Zillow, and SpareRoom, total rental fraud losses exceed $350 million annually. Scammers cross-post the same fake listings on every platform to maximize victims.
85% of landlords have been victimized
It's not just renters at risk. 85% of landlords report being victimized by dishonest tenants — from falsified applications and stolen identities to tenants who disappear owing months of rent. Trust needs to work in both directions.
Who should verify — and when
Rental fraud works in every direction. Whether you're paying or collecting rent, sharing a lease or subletting a room — verification protects everyone involved.
Renters verifying landlords before deposits
Ghost landlords are the most common rental scam. Before wiring a deposit or first month's rent, send a verification link to confirm the person you're paying actually owns or manages the property. If they refuse a 10-second check, walk away.
Landlords verifying tenants before viewings
Protect your property and your time. Verify prospective tenants before handing over keys for a viewing or open house. Confirm the person showing up matches their application — not someone using a stolen identity to secure a lease.
Roommates verifying each other before signing
You're about to share a kitchen, a bathroom, and a front door with this person. Before co-signing a lease or handing over your share of the deposit, both parties should verify. It takes 10 seconds each and sets the tone for a trustworthy living arrangement.
Sublettors verifying replacement tenants
When you sublet your room, you're still on the lease. If your replacement tenant causes damage or stops paying, you're liable. Verify their identity before handing over keys — so you have a verified record of exactly who took over your tenancy.
SnapTrust vs SpareRoom Verification
| Feature | SnapTrust | SpareRoom Verification |
|---|---|---|
| Biometric liveness check | 3D liveness (iBeta Level 2) | No biometric verification |
| Cross-platform use | Works on any platform or in person | SpareRoom listings only |
| Real-time verification | 10 seconds, instant result | Manual review, hours to days |
| Cost | Free (1 session/month) | Requires SpareRoom Plus upgrade |
| Landlord verification | Verify landlords and tenants equally | Tenants only — no landlord checks |
| Fraud prevention | Proves the person is real and present | Profile badges only — no proof of identity |
Verify before you send money or share a home
Whether you're a renter checking a landlord, a landlord screening a tenant, or roommates meeting for the first time — verify identity with a 10-second biometric scan before any money changes hands.
Found a listing or roommate on Facebook, Craigslist, SpareRoom, or a friend's referral? Before sending any deposit, create a verification session.
Send the link via Messenger, text, or WhatsApp. The landlord, roommate, or tenant opens it on their phone.
They complete a 10-second face scan — no app download, no account needed. Our 3D liveness check confirms they're a real person, not a fake profile.
You see the result instantly: a verified selfie proving the person you're about to pay or live with is real and accountable.
From $0.99. No subscription required.
End-to-end encrypted
Face data encrypted on your device before transmission.
iBeta Level 2 certified
ISO 30107-3 — the highest liveness standard.
10-second verification
No app download needed. Works in any browser.
Frequently asked questions
Other ways people use SnapTrust
Don't send money to strangers
Background checks verify the name. SnapTrust verifies the person. Use both for complete rental safety — from the first listing to move-in day.