Beware of Rental Scams on Facebook Marketplace

House for rent scams are targeting Facebook users. Learn how to identify and avoid them.

If you are looking for a rental house, be sure to keep these fraud prevention tips in mind. Scammers have been on Facebook Marketplace posing as landlords and collecting payments from unsuspecting renters. These scammers do not own the property; they are simply third-party people who want your money and will disappear after taking it. It is easy to spot them because they usually copy and repost information about houses for rent that other people post (sometimes pretending to work for the company responsible for leasing the home). Watch out for red flags when searching Facebook Marketplace for a home!

1. What is Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is a service provided through Facebook for people to buy and sell items with others in their local area. Many people use it as a way to find unique and interesting things that they might not have come across otherwise. While it may not be the most common place to look for housing, Facebook Marketplace has been around for a while and it's starting to pick up momentum. 

The user-friendly interface allows renters to search for the type of property they are interested in viewing based on location, price range, and square footage. With rental prices across the nation skyrocketing, it's hard enough finding a place without having to pay more than what you earn. Many users have turned to Facebook Marketplace to find affordable alternatives that don't require any fees and background checks to rent homes. One unique feature worth mentioning is the ability for landlords and tenants alike to chat directly through this platform which makes negotiations much easier. But if you are looking for a rental house, be wary of fraudulent activities by Facebook Marketplace scammers.

2. What are the dangers of using Facebook Marketplace for housing

If you're renting and looking for a new place to call home, you might think that Facebook Marketplace is the perfect way to find your next apartment. However, scammers have been collecting payments from unsuspecting renters by posing as landlords on the site. Renters are duped into sending money with no guarantee of actually getting to move in.

Have you been recently suffered a loss due to an online rental scam?

Here's a recommended post: What to Do if You're the Victim of an Apartment Rental Scam

3. Learn the warning signs of a rental scam

If you are on Facebook Marketplace looking for rental properties, be wary of fraudulent activities by scammers posing as owners who want your money and will disappear after taking it in these cases of rental scams!

• Scammers will use the information (such as photos and descriptions) provided from legitimate sources to make their listings look credible. The only difference: the contact information.
• Scammers chat directly with unsuspecting tenants through Messenger, by text, or email to build trust. They will say anything to trick you into sending them money.
• Scammers posing as landlords or agents may invite you to see the property in person to increase their legitimacy. They are willing to trespass on private property and have you do so with them to gain your trust. Sometimes, they may not even appear at the site and request you to view the property on your own.
• Scammers make prospecting tenants pay in cash or through platforms like PayPal, Venmo, CashApp, Western Union or MoneyGram, then disappear once they have taken your money. Victims that have lost money almost never get it back.
• Scammers often use throwaway accounts which have been recently created or hacked into. You cannot trust that the scammer will use their real identity, and often these accounts disappear once they have been reported or blocked. This doesn't stop the scammers from making new accounts and doing their scams again.

4. How to avoid being scammed when renting on Facebook Marketplace 

• Watch out for common signs of suspicious posts such as vague messages, low prices, lack of photos, and no contact information.
• Be sure to thoroughly check the contact information on a listing, as this is usually the best way to identify a scam. Verify the correct contact information by cross-referencing credible sources.
• Do not communicate with anyone who does not have a photo on their profile or who is asking you to use a personal server as this may be a phishing scam.
• Ask questions about the property in person (not through email). A real landlord or leasing agent will be knowledgeable about the home.
• Ask for a photo ID and license plate number before agreeing to meet. This can help deter scammers from targeting you, as they will want to remain as anonymous as possible as to not be reported to or caught by the police.
• When you meet, ask to see their ID again and take pictures of it to ensure authenticity.
• Be sure to inspect the property before signing any contracts or handing over money.
• Be cautious of people who are asking for upfront cash payments.
• Be wary when landlords have more than one listing posted at once or if they are only posting houses close to where they live because it could be a sign that there's something wrong.

5. Why you should never wire money for a rental property or deposit via Western Union or MoneyGram

Wiring money is risky because it can be near impossible to get your money back once it has been sent. There have been many horror stories where people wire large sums of money to someone, only to find out that the person wasn't who they said they were. If you're a renter on the hunt for a new property, please beware of wiring money or depositing funds with Western Union. Rental scams aren't a new phenomenon on Facebook Marketplace and have been around forever. It's important to know what to look out for when dealing with potential landlords. Scam artists will usually ask for an initial deposit via wire transfer or Western Union, but once you do this they'll disappear never returning your money. If you would like more information about how to avoid these types of scams please read the blog post "Look before you lease: how to avoid a rental scam" from Western Union's website.

6. Ways to find trustworthy rental listings online

If you're looking for a rental property online, it's important to find a place that's reputable and trustworthy. Here are some guidelines for how to find rental listings that are high-quality:

• Always research the listing. You might also want to check other listings on different websites (especially if it's one apartment is posted to many sites).
• Make sure the contact information is valid and up-to-date. This is usually the best way to tell if someone is legitimate or not.
• Perform a Google search of the listing name and address to see if there are any review websites that mention it. Websites such as Nextdoor, Yelp! and ApartmentRatings can provide some valuable insight on home listings near you.
• Ask for references from past tenants if possible. Past renters will usually have a good idea about what to expect from the landlord and will be able to vouch for their character.
• If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask! Landlords are usually happy to answer your inquiries because they want tenants that'll take care of their property. You might also want to post them on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook so they get in contact with you.
• Be wary of deals that are too good to be true and vague messages from landlords. If the landlord is offering a price much lower than what it actually costs, there's probably something wrong with the property or they're scamming you.

No matter what, beware and be safe online!

If you're looking for a good deal, you might find a hidden gem on Facebook Marketplace. However, it's important not to put your safety at risk by renting from someone you don't know or trust. Always do research and make sure that they are credible landlords or legitimate businesses before handing over any money—always protect yourself! Malicious people will always be out there, but the best thing we can do is be aware of the risks and protect ourselves online.

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Still looking for homes for rent? We always have new rental listings on RevitalizeRealty.com with apartments and single-family homes in the cities where we offer our services-including Mobile, Daphne, Laurel, Hattiesburg, Pascagoula and more! And if you want help finding that perfect place to call home while saving money along the way? Let us know because we are here to help make your life easier by providing high-quality homes at affordable prices. Contact us today or visit RevitalizeRealty.com/Vacancies for all of your housing needs!