How to avoid sublet scams in Ann Arbor
The common student housing scams in Ann Arbor and the exact red flags to watch for — so your UMich sublet search doesn't cost you a deposit.
5 min read · Updated July 3, 2026
Why students get targeted
Student housing is a scammer's dream: urgent timelines, people new to renting, big deposits, and a lot of deals done sight-unseen over the summer. Ann Arbor is no exception — every year UMich students lose deposits to listings that were never real.
The red flags
Almost every scam shares the same tells. If you see these, slow down:
- They want a deposit before you can see the place or meet
- Payment by gift card, crypto, Zelle to a stranger, or wire
- Price is way below everything comparable
- They're "out of town" and can't show it in person
- Pressure to decide right now or "lose it"
- Photos look stolen (reverse-image-search them)
- They dodge a video call or won't verify identity
How to protect yourself
See the place — in person or at least over a live video call where they walk you through it. Verify the person is actually a student. Never pay with anything irreversible; a credit card gives you recourse, a wire does not. And get the agreement in writing before any money moves.
This is the whole reason Wroomly exists in the shape it does: every user is verified with an @umich.edu email before they can list a place or send an inquiry. A scammer with a fake listing can't hide behind an anonymous profile — the person on the other end is a real, named U of M student.
If you think you've been scammed
Stop sending money immediately. If you paid by credit card, call your bank about a chargeback. Report the listing to wherever you found it and to the FTC. And tell other students — scammers reuse the same listings across Facebook groups and GroupMe every season.
Frequently asked questions
What are the red flags of a sublet scam?
The classic tells: a deposit demanded before you can see the place, payment by wire, gift card, crypto, or Zelle to a stranger, a price far below comparable listings, a "landlord" who is out of town and can't show it, pressure to decide immediately, and photos that fail a reverse image search.
How can I verify a sublet listing in Ann Arbor is real?
See the place in person or on a live video call where the person walks you through it. Reverse-image-search the photos. Check that the lister is a real student — on Wroomly, verified UMich students carry a blue check next to their name. Never move money before the agreement is in writing.
What should I do if I got scammed on a sublet?
Stop sending money immediately. If you paid by credit card, call your bank and ask about a chargeback. Report the listing to the platform where you found it and to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Warn other students — scammers reuse the same fake listings every season.