$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
fake Zillow listing rental scam
Scammers copy real property listings from Zillow and repost them at below-market rent, then collect deposits from multiple victims for a property they do not own.
“rental scam”
↑ 274%Key indicators
Usually targetsRenters
Often hitsTech workers and developers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$1.2K
median reported loss
Typical range$240 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~10%
Annual reports43,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers copy photos and descriptions from legitimate Zillow, Realtor.com, or MLS listings.
2
They repost the listing on Craigslist, Facebook, or other platforms at a below-market price.
3
Multiple applicants send deposits and first month's rent before discovering the listing is fake.
What to do first
Reverse image search listing photos to check if they appear on other sites.
Related terms
Zillow clone listing scamfake rental listingcopied property scamRental scamsWebsiteRisingRentersRelocating workersYoung adultsTech workers and developersReal estate professionals and homebuyersEducators and studentsUnited StatesZillow clone listing scamfake rental listing
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Mark, 27, a renters, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate rental scams situation while using Website. Scammers copy photos and descriptions from legitimate Zillow, Realtor.com, or MLS listings.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They repost the listing on Craigslist, Facebook, or other platforms at a below-market price.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Multiple applicants send deposits and first month's rent before discovering the listing is fake.
The outcome
Mark realized something was wrong when rent is significantly below comparable listings in the area. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Reverse image search listing photos to check if they appear on other sites. Mark's experience shows why rent is significantly below comparable listings in the area and landlord claims to be out of town and cannot show the property are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Rent is significantly below comparable listings in the area
- Landlord claims to be out of town and cannot show the property
- Payment is requested via wire transfer or Cash App before a lease is signed
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Reverse image search listing photos to check if they appear on other sites.
- ✓Verify property ownership through your county assessor's public records.
- ✓Never send money before seeing the property in person and verifying the landlord's identity.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The FBI's IC3 reported rental fraud losses exceeding 350 million USD in 2023.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Reverse image search listing photos to check if they appear on other sites.
- ✓Verify property ownership through your county assessor's public records.
- ✓Never send money before seeing the property in person and verifying the landlord's identity.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The FBI's IC3 reported rental fraud losses exceeding 350 million USD in 2023.
FBI IC3 2024
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Renters, Relocating workers, Young adults
Geographic concentration
United States
Primary channel
Website — Rental scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Renters are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The FBI's IC3 reported rental fraud losses exceeding 350 million USD in 2023.
Source notes
- FBI IC3 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about fake zillow listing rental scam
How does the fake zillow listing rental scam work?+
Scammers copy photos and descriptions from legitimate Zillow, Realtor.com, or MLS listings. They repost the listing on Craigslist, Facebook, or other platforms at a below-market price. Multiple applicants send deposits and first month's rent before discovering the listing is fake.
What are the warning signs of fake zillow listing rental scam?+
Rent is significantly below comparable listings in the area Landlord claims to be out of town and cannot show the property Payment is requested via wire transfer or Cash App before a lease is signed
What should I do if I encounter fake zillow listing rental scam?+
Reverse image search listing photos to check if they appear on other sites. Verify property ownership through your county assessor's public records. Never send money before seeing the property in person and verifying the landlord's identity.
Who is most at risk for fake zillow listing rental scam?+
This scam primarily targets Renters, Relocating workers, Young adults. It is most commonly reported in United States and typically appears on Website.
Is fake zillow listing rental scam on the rise?+
fake Zillow listing rental scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.