$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Zillow agent impersonator scam
Scammers impersonate licensed real estate agents listed on Zillow, contacting potential buyers or renters to collect personal financial information or upfront fees under the guise of facilitating a transaction.
“impersonation scam”
↑ 604%Key indicators
Usually targetsHomebuyers
Often hitsReal estate professionals and homebuyers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $12K
Recovery rate~15%
Annual reports330,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers scrape real agent profiles from Zillow and create fake email accounts using similar names.
2
They contact potential buyers claiming to represent the agent, requesting earnest money deposits or financial documents.
3
The funds are stolen, and the real agent and buyer are unaware until the scam is discovered.
What to do first
Verify any agent's identity by calling their brokerage directly using the number listed on the brokerage website.
Related terms
fake Zillow realtorZillow agent fraudreal estate agent impersonationBrand impersonation scamsZillowSurgingHomebuyersRentersAdultsReal estate professionals and homebuyersOnline shoppersUnited Statesfake Zillow realtorZillow agent fraud
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Amanda, 35, a homebuyers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate brand impersonation scams situation while using Zillow. Scammers scrape real agent profiles from Zillow and create fake email accounts using similar names.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They contact potential buyers claiming to represent the agent, requesting earnest money deposits or financial documents.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The funds are stolen, and the real agent and buyer are unaware until the scam is discovered.
The outcome
Amanda realized something was wrong when agent contacts you unsolicited about a property you did not inquire about. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Verify any agent's identity by calling their brokerage directly using the number listed on the brokerage website. Amanda's experience shows why agent contacts you unsolicited about a property you did not inquire about and agent requests payment or personal financial documents before any signed agreement are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Agent contacts you unsolicited about a property you did not inquire about
- Agent requests payment or personal financial documents before any signed agreement
- Contact email does not match the agent's official brokerage domain
- 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
- ✓Verify any agent's identity by calling their brokerage directly using the number listed on the brokerage website.
- ✓Never send money or financial documents based solely on email instructions.
- ✓Report impersonation to Zillow and to your state's real estate licensing board.
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 IC3 reported that real estate wire fraud losses exceeded 145 million USD in 2023, with agent impersonation being a common entry point.
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.
- ✓Verify any agent's identity by calling their brokerage directly using the number listed on the brokerage website.
- ✓Never send money or financial documents based solely on email instructions.
- ✓Report impersonation to Zillow and to your state's real estate licensing board.
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 IC3 reported that real estate wire fraud losses exceeded 145 million USD in 2023, with agent impersonation being a common entry point.
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
Homebuyers, Renters, Adults
Geographic concentration
United States
Primary channel
Zillow — Brand impersonation scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Homebuyers are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in 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 IC3 reported that real estate wire fraud losses exceeded 145 million USD in 2023, with agent impersonation being a common entry point.
Source notes
- FBI IC3 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about zillow agent impersonator scam
How does the zillow agent impersonator scam work?+
Scammers scrape real agent profiles from Zillow and create fake email accounts using similar names. They contact potential buyers claiming to represent the agent, requesting earnest money deposits or financial documents. The funds are stolen, and the real agent and buyer are unaware until the scam is discovered.
What are the warning signs of zillow agent impersonator scam?+
Agent contacts you unsolicited about a property you did not inquire about Agent requests payment or personal financial documents before any signed agreement Contact email does not match the agent's official brokerage domain
What should I do if I encounter zillow agent impersonator scam?+
Verify any agent's identity by calling their brokerage directly using the number listed on the brokerage website. Never send money or financial documents based solely on email instructions. Report impersonation to Zillow and to your state's real estate licensing board.
Who is most at risk for zillow agent impersonator scam?+
This scam primarily targets Homebuyers, Renters, Adults. It is most commonly reported in United States and typically appears on Zillow.
Is zillow agent impersonator scam getting worse?+
Zillow agent impersonator scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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What to do first
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What to do first
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What to do first
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Seen in
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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.