Avoiding Fraudulent Listings: Red Flags to Watch Out For

15 October 2025

Let’s face it—browsing through online property listings can feel a lot like online dating. You scroll through photos, imagine your future life, and maybe even get a little emotionally attached. But just like a sketchy dating profile, not every property listing is what it claims to be. Fraudulent listings are out there, and they’re sneakier than ever.

In this guide, we’re pulling back the curtain on scams in the real estate world. Whether you're a first-time renter, seasoned investor, or somewhere in between, you need to know how to spot the fakes before they cost you money, time, or worse—your peace of mind.

Why Real Estate Fraud Is on the Rise

Before diving into the red flags, let’s address the elephant in the room: why is this even happening?

Simply put, money. Scammers know that real estate, especially rental properties, often involves quick decisions and large payments. They prey on urgency, trust, and lack of experience. As more people turn to online platforms like Zillow, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and others, the doors open wider for scams to sneak in.

The good news? You don’t need to be a detective to spot a fraudulent listing—you just need to know what to look for.

Common Types of Real Estate Scams

Before spotting the signs, it helps to know the main scams floating around out there. Here’s a quick rundown:

- Phantom Rentals – The property doesn’t exist or isn’t actually for rent.
- Hijacked Ads – A legitimate listing copied and reposted with altered contact details.
- Title Fraud – Scammers pose as owners to sell or rent a property they don’t own.
- Bait-and-Switch – You’re shown one property, but pushed to put money down on another.
- Fake Agents – Scammers pose as landlords or realtors to collect deposits.

Scary stuff, right? But don’t worry—up next are the major clues these scams can't hide for long.

Red Flag #1: The Price Is Too Good To Be True

Let’s start with the obvious one. If the listing price makes you raise an eyebrow—in a "how is this even possible?" kind of way—it’s probably a trap.

Scammers often use below-market prices to lure you in and create urgency. They know you'll panic about missing out and skip due diligence.

What to do:
Compare the listing with similar properties in the same area. If everything else is $2,000/month and this one is $900, run. Or at least walk away quickly while double-checking the facts.

Red Flag #2: The Landlord or Agent Refuses to Meet In Person

Imagine this: you message about a listing, and the "landlord" says they’re out of the country or handling a family emergency. They insist you send the deposit via wire transfer to lock it down.

Big, bright red flag.

Scammers hide behind excuses to avoid meeting face-to-face. They’ll claim they entrusted the keys to someone else, or that they’ll mail you the keys after payment.

Real talk: No legitimate landlord rents out a place sight unseen without a formal meeting or application. If you're told to pay upfront without a tour or even video call, hit the brakes.

Red Flag #3: Vague or Suspicious Contact Information

Here’s a sneaky one most people overlook. If the listing provides only an email or a sketchy phone number (think WhatsApp-only, overseas codes), proceed with caution.

And if the person responds with odd grammar, strange punctuation, or robotic phrases like “Kindly revert soonest,” you’re likely not dealing with a legit landlord or agent.

Quick tip: Google the contact info. Scammers often use the same email or phone numbers across multiple fake listings.

Red Flag #4: Stock or Stolen Photos

You know that gut feeling when photos feel “off?” Maybe they look like they belong in a furniture catalog, not an actual home.

That’s because they probably do.

Scammers often steal images from other listings or grab them from online galleries. If all the photos are high-gloss, perfectly staged, and show zero signs of actual human living, raise your alert level.

Test it out:
Use Google’s reverse image search. Drop the photo into the search bar and see where else it pops up online. If the same picture shows a listing in Dallas, but your ad says Miami? Scam alert.

Red Flag #5: The Listing Is Rushed and Pushy

Scammers are like bad salespeople—they rely on pressure tactics and emotional manipulation.

You'll hear things like:

- “You have to pay today or I’ll give it to someone else!”
- “There’s a long line of people interested. Don't miss your chance.”
- "We can skip paperwork—I'm only looking for someone trustworthy."

Sound familiar? Yeah, these are red flags dressed as urgency.

Reality check: Reputable agents and landlords won't force you into a snap decision without letting you think, ask questions, or review paperwork. If you're being pushed hard to pay quickly, it's all about getting your money—not helping you move in.

Red Flag #6: No Background or Credit Check Required

If a “landlord” is willing to hand over the keys without meeting you, checking your background, or running a credit check, something’s fishy.

Think about it: would you rent your home to someone without knowing the first thing about them?

Scammers don’t care about your credit score—they care about how fast you’ll send cash. If there’s zero vetting involved, you’re not dealing with a professional.

Stay sharp: Trustworthy landlords follow legal steps. If you’re skipping the entire application process, it's probably because you're not getting a real apartment.

Red Flag #7: The Listing Disappears and Reappears Frequently

Ever notice how some listings vanish and magically reappear a few days later under a different name or price?

That’s a scam strategy. Scammers repost or rotate listings to avoid getting flagged or reported. It also helps reset any bad reviews or user warnings.

Here's a trick: Bookmark suspicious listings and revisit them after a few days. If they’re gone and suddenly pop back up with slight changes, steer clear.

How to Safely Verify a Listing

Alright, we’ve covered the red flags. Now let’s talk strategy. If you’re unsure about a listing but don’t want to rule it out completely, here’s how to verify it:

1. Cross-Check Listings

Check major real estate platforms like Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, or MLS to see if the property is listed multiple times with different info. Consistent data usually means it's legit. Conflicting details? That’s your cue to dig deeper.

2. Look Up the Address

Google the full address. Street View can give you a real-life look at the property and neighborhood. Sometimes scammers invent locations or post listings with mismatching addresses.

3. Contact a Local Realtor

Even if you’re not working with one, many real estate agents are happy to confirm whether a listing is real—especially if it's a local property. They’ve seen it all and can often spot scams a mile away.

4. Research Ownership

Head to your county assessor’s office website or property records database. Search the address and verify the name of the current owner. If the person you're dealing with doesn’t match the records, it's a clear mismatch.

What To Do If You’ve Been Scammed

Already sent money? Don’t panic—act immediately.

- Contact Your Bank – Explain the situation and see if they can roll back the transaction.
- Report the Scam – File a report with the FTC, local law enforcement, and the listing platform.
- Alert the Community – Leave comments or post in local forums or Facebook groups to warn others.

And most importantly, don’t beat yourself up. Scammers play the emotional game, and they’re good at it. What matters is learning from it and staying sharp moving forward.

Final Words: Stay Sharp, Stay Safe

Just like you wouldn’t buy a car without starting the engine, you should never rent or buy a property based solely on a few pictures and a stranger’s text messages. If something feels off—it probably is.

Real estate can sometimes feel overwhelming, but with a little caution, some healthy skepticism, and the right tools in your pocket, you can outsmart the scammers every time.

Keep your eyes open, trust your gut, and don't let enthusiasm cloud your judgment. Your dream home is out there—but it's not in the hands of a scammer.