Rental listing frauds surge, costing victims thousands and prompting fraud alerts

A renter in Southern California was duped by a fake landlord who sent a genuine-looking video taken from another listing, collected an application fee and a $2,500 deposit through Zelle, then vanished when the victim asked for a refund. The homeowner of the property had never offered it for rent. FBI data show an increase in real-estate fraud complaints and associated losses compared with the prior year.

Scammers typically steal existing listings, replace contact information, and use professional media to appear legitimate, sometimes employing AI to polish communications. The FTC cautions that even a live video tour cannot confirm ownership or availability, and advises renters to verify addresses, owners, and payment recipients before sending money. Practical steps include reverse-image searches, in-person tours, checking county records, and using secure payment methods.