(BBB Midwest Plains)
Locayt, a rental property and real estate company, has been under investigation by BBB for fraudulent business practices. An August 2025 investigation began after more than 600 consumer inquiries and over 60 BBB Scam Tracker reports were fielded.
Consumers have reported that the business requested a $49 fee to schedule an appointment to view their rental properties. Other consumers have reported paying an additional insurance fee that they are told is refundable. After paying, the business does not respond to any communications and does not issue a refund. Some consumers have reported visiting the physical property only to be told by the actual property owner that the property is not for rent.
The business has been active since September 2023 and is registered with the South Dakota Secretary of State under the name “National Property Services LLC.” It is not BBB Accredited and has an F rating due to numerous unaddressed consumer complaints. When contacted by the BBB regarding these complaints, Locayt indicated it would not be responding to complaints and asked the BBB to cease further communication. Various other websites, such as Trustpilot and ScamPulse, have received complaints regarding the business.
BBB’s advice for avoiding rental scams:
- Be wary of lower-than-usual prices. If the rent for an apartment is well below the going market rate, consider it a red flag. Scammers love to draw people in with claims that sound too good to be true.
- Do some research. Search the listing online, as well as the associated phone number and email address. If you find another listing for the same property in a different city, you've spotted a scam. Reverse image searches can be helpful, too, as can searching the alleged landlord's name along with the word "scam." These searches only take a few minutes and are well worth the effort. Also, search BBB Scam Tracker for any recent reports.
- Always see the property in person. Many rental scams involve listings for properties that don't exist. Something is fishy if the renter refuses to let you know where the apartment is before you complete a credit check or pay them a deposit. Be wary, too, if you are given the address of a home with a for sale sign in the yard. You might not be in contact with the actual owners.
- Verify the property owner's information. Contact a licensed real estate agent to see who owns a property, or check the county property appraiser's website. Ask the landlord for a copy of their ID to verify they are who they claim to be before you offer up sensitive personal information like your social security number for a credit check. If the landlord refuses or gets upset, you could be dealing with a scammer. Check BBB.org for trusted property owners.
- Be cautious about credit check websites. If you need a credit check, always use reputable sources, such as those recommended by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (U.S.) or the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. Also, check to see if the website is secure. Learn how to identify a fake website.
For more information
If you’ve been a victim of a rental property scam, please make a report at BBB Scam Tracker. Your report can help shed light on scammers’ tactics and prevent others from falling victim to the same scam.
BBB Midwest Plains submitted this warning.