Fraudsters Hijack Zillow Photos for Facebook Rental Scam

By Greg Collier

If you just bought a home or you’re hunting for a rental, watch out—scammers are getting bolder. A new online con is targeting recently sold homes, using stolen listing photos to trick people into paying fake deposits. One home buyer learned that the hard way when his brand-new property showed up on Facebook as a bargain rental.

What’s Going On:

A new online scam is preying on homeowners and renters in Bay County, Florida—and this one targets homes that have just been sold. The scheme recently blindsided an out-of-state buyer who purchased a home in Panama City for a family member. Before he could even celebrate the closing, someone hijacked the home’s Zillow photos and posted it on Facebook as a rental—complete with fake contact info and a too-good-to-be-true price.

The bogus listing advertised the two-bedroom, two-bathroom home for just $850 a month, roughly a thousand dollars below the going rate in the area. The fake landlord then urged would-be tenants to send a few hundred dollars upfront to “hold” the property.

How They Do It:

Scammers typically scrape real estate photos from legitimate listings, then repost them on Facebook Marketplace or similar platforms. They pose as the property owner—often claiming to be overseas or out of state—and pressure potential renters to send deposits quickly before someone else “takes it.”

In this case, when the homeowner reported the post to Facebook, the company initially claimed it didn’t violate policy. It took over a month of back-and-forth before the platform finally removed the fake listing. Meanwhile, the imposter profile kept luring renters with that suspiciously low rent and a sense of urgency—two classic red flags in the rental scam playbook.

Why It’s Effective:

This scam works because it preys on both trust and timing. The homes are brand new to the market, often still appearing in online searches from their legitimate listings, which makes the scam post look credible.

Renters desperate for affordable housing see an unbelievable deal and rush to secure it. By the time they realize the “landlord” is fake, their deposit has already been wired—often overseas, where recovery is nearly impossible.

Many of these scams originate from outside the U.S., making prosecution difficult. If the suspect is local, however, and money has changed hands, investigators can pursue charges and attempt to recover stolen funds.

Red Flags:

  • The rent is hundreds below market value.
  • The “owner” claims to be out of the country or unable to meet in person.
  • You’re asked to wire money or pay via apps before seeing the home.
  • The listing appears only on social media, not verified platforms.

How to Stay Safe:

  • Search the address across multiple sites (Zillow, Realtor, Apartments.com) to spot duplicates.
  • Contact the real estate agent or title company directly if something seems off.
  • Never send deposits or application fees without confirming ownership.
  • Stick to verified platforms with renter protections—not random Facebook posts.

If You’ve Been Targeted:

For Renters:

If you already sent money or personal information to a fake landlord:

  • Contact your bank or payment app immediately and explain it was a scam—they may be able to freeze or reverse the transaction.
  • File a police report with your local law enforcement and include all usernames, messages, and receipts.
  • Report the fake listing to the platform (Facebook, Craigslist, Zillow, etc.) so others aren’t victimized.
  • Submit complaints to both the FTC’s Fraud Report Portal and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
  • If you wired funds internationally, contact Western Union or MoneyGram fraud departments immediately to request a reversal.

For Homeowners

If someone has cloned your property listing:

  • Take screenshots of the fraudulent post, messages, and profile.
  • Report the listing to the hosting platform and provide proof of ownership, such as closing documents or official listings.
  • Notify local law enforcement—if the scammer is targeting local renters, officers can issue warnings or open an investigation.
  • Let nearby neighbors or caretakers know to watch for suspicious visitors showing up expecting to rent your home.
  • If you live out of state, consider hiring a local property manager or friend to keep an eye on the home and flag new scams quickly.

Acting fast—whether you’re a renter or an owner—helps shut down the scam before more victims get caught in the same trap.

Final Thoughts:

If a rental deal looks too good to be true, it almost always is. Scammers know how to make listings look legitimate—but a quick reverse search and a healthy dose of skepticism can save you hundreds or even thousands.

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