Florida realtor discovers her property listed on Facebook as a fake rental. As FTC reports $65M lost, here’s what landlords and renters should know

Stoll learned about the scam after receiving a phone call from someone who saw the listing. She reported it to Facebook immediately, but the social media network refused to remove the ad, claiming it didn’t go against any of its commerce policies, and only changed its mind after Stoll contacted consumer investigator Susan El Khoury, who intervened on her behalf.

This isn’t an isolated incident. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), consumers have reported nearly 65,000 rental scams since 2020, resulting in total losses of approximately $65 million. The actual financial toll is likely far higher, the agency says, because many victims never file a complaint (2).

What’s especially troubling is how convincing these scams have become. Fake rental listings are no longer limited to vacant homes or obviously fabricated properties. Increasingly, scammers are hijacking photos of real, lived-in homes to appear legitimate and lower people’s guard.

The result is a growing pool of victims. Renters risk losing money and personal information, while landlords face reputational damage, confused would-be tenants at their door and potential legal headaches.

How rental scams work — and why anyone can be targeted

Rental scams are relatively simple to execute. All scammers need are photos and basic details, which can often be copied directly from legitimate real estate websites listing homes for sale or rent. They then repost the information on social platforms like Facebook Marketplace using fake, legitimate-looking accounts.

According to the FTC, in the 12 months ending in June 2025, about half of reported rental scams originated on Facebook, with another 16% traced to Craigslist (2).

Renters often turn to these platforms to find somewhere to live, and because listings aren’t typically verified, it can be hard to tell which ads aren’t legit. That means anyone can realistically become a target.

To attract interest, scammers usually list the property well below average market prices. Then, according to the FTC, once interested parties get in contact, the fraudsters begin asking for money upfront, requesting an application fee, security deposit or even the first month’s rent to “hold” the property. In some cases, scammers promise self-guided tours and claim they will send lockbox access codes after payment. Often, those codes are fabricated — or the fraudster disappears once money is sent.

Collecting deposits isn’t the only way scammers profit**.** The FTC warns that fake rental listings are also used to harvest personal information, including Social Security numbers and driver’s licenses, which can later be used for identity theft. Another tactic is asking renters to prove creditworthiness by directing them to credit-check websites that generate commissions for the scammer.

What makes these scams effective is speed and pressure. Renters are told the unit won’t be available for long and are urged to send money quickly to have a chance of securing it ahead of other interested parties.

In a market where affordable rentals are increasingly scarce, urgency can override caution, especially when a deal looks like a rare bargain (3).

How renters and landlords can protect themselves

For renters, the biggest red flags are:

• Unrealistically low rent.
• Requests for wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency or other hard-to-trace payment methods in order to view the property.
• Being immediately asked for sensitive personal information.

Legitimate landlords typically price rentals in line with the local market and do not require payment to schedule a showing or request personal details before a formal application process begins.