How can I tell if the "landlord" is a scammer?

Hi, I'm a college student & found an apartment I'm interested in, but I don't know how to tell if the "landlord" is really the one who owns the place and if he is trustworthy. He comes off as a little insistent and I only know him by his first name, nothing else. When I went to view the apartment, it was the workman of the house and his wife who showed me the place, and they did confirm the landlord's identity. But should I still ask for proof? If he does turn out to be the real landowner, how can I be sure the place is not foreclosed?