$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Zillow fake listing contact form scam
Scammers create fake property listings on Zillow with below-market prices and use the contact form to redirect interested renters or buyers to off-platform communication where they extract deposits or personal information.
“rental scam”
↑ 274%Key indicators
Usually targetsRenters
Often hitsReal estate professionals and homebuyers
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 details from legitimate listings and repost them at lower prices to attract victims.
2
When a victim inquires through Zillow, the scammer moves communication off-platform and requests a security deposit via wire transfer or gift cards.
3
The scammer either does not own the property or the property does not exist, and the deposit is lost.
What to do first
Never send money for a rental without touring the property in person and verifying the landlord's identity.
Related terms
fake Zillow listingZillow rental scamZillow phony propertyRental scamsZillowRisingRentersFirst-time homebuyersYoung adultsReal estate professionals and homebuyersEducators and studentsUnited Statesfake Zillow listingZillow rental scam
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 Zillow. Scammers copy photos and details from legitimate listings and repost them at lower prices to attract victims.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: When a victim inquires through Zillow, the scammer moves communication off-platform and requests a security deposit via wire transfer or gift cards.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The scammer either does not own the property or the property does not exist, and the deposit is lost.
The outcome
Mark realized something was wrong when listing price is significantly below market value for the area. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Never send money for a rental without touring the property in person and verifying the landlord's identity. Mark's experience shows why listing price is significantly below market value for the area and landlord insists on communicating off-platform via personal email or whatsapp are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Listing price is significantly below market value for the area
- Landlord insists on communicating off-platform via personal email or WhatsApp
- Requests a deposit or application fee before you have seen the property in person
- 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
- ✓Never send money for a rental without touring the property in person and verifying the landlord's identity.
- ✓Cross-reference the listing address on Google Maps and county property records.
- ✓Report suspicious listings to Zillow and to the FTC.
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 FTC reported that rental scams cost consumers over 350 million USD in reported losses in 2023, with platform-based listing fraud being a leading vector.
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.
- ✓Never send money for a rental without touring the property in person and verifying the landlord's identity.
- ✓Cross-reference the listing address on Google Maps and county property records.
- ✓Report suspicious listings to Zillow and to the FTC.
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 FTC reported that rental scams cost consumers over 350 million USD in reported losses in 2023, with platform-based listing fraud being a leading vector.
FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
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, First-time homebuyers, Young adults
Geographic concentration
United States
Primary channel
Zillow — 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 FTC reported that rental scams cost consumers over 350 million USD in reported losses in 2023, with platform-based listing fraud being a leading vector.
Source notes
- FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about zillow fake listing contact form scam
How does the zillow fake listing contact form scam work?+
Scammers copy photos and details from legitimate listings and repost them at lower prices to attract victims. When a victim inquires through Zillow, the scammer moves communication off-platform and requests a security deposit via wire transfer or gift cards. The scammer either does not own the property or the property does not exist, and the deposit is lost.
What are the warning signs of zillow fake listing contact form scam?+
Listing price is significantly below market value for the area Landlord insists on communicating off-platform via personal email or WhatsApp Requests a deposit or application fee before you have seen the property in person
What should I do if I encounter zillow fake listing contact form scam?+
Never send money for a rental without touring the property in person and verifying the landlord's identity. Cross-reference the listing address on Google Maps and county property records. Report suspicious listings to Zillow and to the FTC.
Who is most at risk for zillow fake listing contact form scam?+
This scam primarily targets Renters, First-time homebuyers, Young adults. It is most commonly reported in United States and typically appears on Zillow.
Is zillow fake listing contact form scam on the rise?+
Zillow fake listing contact form 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.