Overseas con artists are targeting ACT rental websites during the capital's traditional early-year influx of new public servants and students seeking houses, flats and units to rent.

Authorities are warning the public to be wary of deals on Canberra real estate rentals that seem ''too good to be true''.

The scam works by the fraudsters using legitimate websites to post details of the property on ''offer'', often including photographs, at a much reduced rental asking price.

When prospective tenants express an interest in inspecting the property, there is often an excuse offered why it cannot be seen, usually that the owner is overseas, but the scammers will ask for personal details before asking for a deposit to ''secure'' a rental agreement.

If the deposit is paid into the bank account provided, the victim stands little chance of getting the money back.

In recent weeks, details have appeared on rental websites for rooms in a luxury apartment in Allawa Street, Civic, for the bargain basement price of $150 a week and another for the same price in an upmarket house in O'Connor.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said the frauds could be hard to tell from the real thing.

''Scammers will often use various shared accommodation sites to post these fake listings,'' the ACCC advised.

''They will go to great lengths to ensure that the offer looks genuine by including photos and real addresses of properties.

''However, photos and details of properties can be easily obtained on the internet.''

The ACCC said there were several ways that renters could protect themselves against the scammers, such as insisting on an inspection not a drive-by of a property they were interested in. Prospective tenants should also try an internet search of the person offering the property or their email address and avoid making payments by transfer.