$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Zillow fake open house RSVP scam
A phishing email or listing promotes a fake open house event for an attractive property, collecting personal information through a fraudulent RSVP form.
“real estate scam”
↑ 282%Key indicators
Usually targetsHomebuyers
Often hitsReal estate professionals and homebuyers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$56K
median reported loss
Typical range$8.0K – $320K
Recovery rate~10%
Annual reports9,521
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers create fake open house events for desirable properties on Zillow or through phishing emails.
2
The RSVP form collects personal information including full name, address, phone, and sometimes financial details.
3
The data is used for identity theft, and no open house actually takes place.
What to do first
Verify open houses directly with the listing agent by calling the number on their brokerage website.
Related terms
fake open house sign-upZillow open house phishingproperty viewing data harvestReal estate wire fraudZillowRisingHomebuyersFirst-time homebuyersYoung adultsReal estate professionals and homebuyersEducators and studentsLawyers and legal professionalsUnited Statesfake open house sign-upZillow open house phishing
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 real estate wire fraud situation while using Zillow. Scammers create fake open house events for desirable properties on Zillow or through phishing emails.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The RSVP form collects personal information including full name, address, phone, and sometimes financial details.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The data is used for identity theft, and no open house actually takes place.
The outcome
Amanda realized something was wrong when rsvp form asks for social security number or financial information. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Verify open houses directly with the listing agent by calling the number on their brokerage website. Amanda's experience shows why rsvp form asks for social security number or financial information and open house is for a property at a price too good to be true are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- RSVP form asks for Social Security number or financial information
- Open house is for a property at a price too good to be true
- The RSVP link goes to a non-Zillow website
- 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 open houses directly with the listing agent by calling the number on their brokerage website.
- ✓Legitimate open house RSVPs do not require financial information.
- ✓Report suspicious events to Zillow.
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.
- Real estate industry reports note an increase in fake open house scams, particularly in competitive housing markets where buyers are eager to tour properties quickly.
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 open houses directly with the listing agent by calling the number on their brokerage website.
- ✓Legitimate open house RSVPs do not require financial information.
- ✓Report suspicious events to Zillow.
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.
Real estate industry reports note an increase in fake open house scams, particularly in competitive housing markets where buyers are eager to tour properties quickly.
OpenScam research
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, First-time homebuyers, Young adults
Geographic concentration
United States
Primary channel
Zillow — Real estate wire fraud
Why this group is vulnerable
Homebuyers 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
- Real estate industry reports note an increase in fake open house scams, particularly in competitive housing markets where buyers are eager to tour properties quickly.
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about zillow fake open house rsvp scam
How does the zillow fake open house rsvp scam work?+
Scammers create fake open house events for desirable properties on Zillow or through phishing emails. The RSVP form collects personal information including full name, address, phone, and sometimes financial details. The data is used for identity theft, and no open house actually takes place.
What are the warning signs of zillow fake open house rsvp scam?+
RSVP form asks for Social Security number or financial information Open house is for a property at a price too good to be true The RSVP link goes to a non-Zillow website
What should I do if I encounter zillow fake open house rsvp scam?+
Verify open houses directly with the listing agent by calling the number on their brokerage website. Legitimate open house RSVPs do not require financial information. Report suspicious events to Zillow.
Who is most at risk for zillow fake open house rsvp scam?+
This scam primarily targets Homebuyers, First-time homebuyers, Young adults. It is most commonly reported in United States and typically appears on Zillow.
Is zillow fake open house rsvp scam on the rise?+
Zillow fake open house RSVP 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.