RED FLAGS THAT AN ESA LETTER MIGHT NOT BE LEGITIMATE
1
It’s an ESA Certificate or ESA ID Card
ESA certificates and ID cards are often marketed as official proof but hold no legal standing. Websites charge $25–$49 for these products, allowing users to plug in their name and pet’s name to instantly receive a downloadable 'ESA ID.' These documents do not involve any recommendation from a qualified healthcare professional and should not be accepted as proof of a disability-related need.
2
The Letter Includes an ESA Verification Number
Some letters contain a so-called ESA verification number, which indicates the letter was generated through an online letter mill. These numbers are tied to commercial websites, not individual healthcare practices. The only rare exception is if the tenant joined the healthcare professional’s personal practice and received a legitimate assessment. However, this is extremely uncommon.
3
The Letter Lacks Clear Language About Disability-Related Need
ESA certificates and ID cards are often marketed as official proof but hold no legal standing. Websites charge $25–$49 for these products, allowing users to plug in their name and pet’s name to instantly receive a downloadable 'ESA ID.' These documents do not involve any recommendation from a qualified healthcare professional and should not be accepted as proof of a disability-related need.
4
The Letter Was Purchased Online After a Brief Interview
If the tenant obtained the letter by answering a few questions online or participating in a short call, this is a major red flag. While it’s difficult to get renters to admit this (in one study about online ESA letters, renters were truthful only 14.6% of the time), housing providers can look for patterns in the documentation or ask clarifying questions. Familiarize yourself with common ESA letter templates and website logos used by letter mills. See examples below:
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