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In today’s rental market, it’s more important than ever to stay alert. Unfortunately, scammers are getting creative. And one of the most common tricks we’re seeing is copycat rental listings.
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HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:
Someone takes photos and descriptions from a legitimate real estate post, often from Zillow, Realtor.com, or a property management website and re-posts it on another platform (like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist) at a lower price.
They’ll then pose as the owner or manager and ask you to send a deposit to “hold” the home. They ask for the funds to typically be sent through a cash app, Zelle, Venmo, or wire transfer. Once the money’s gone, so are they.
At E&I Real Estate, we’ve seen innocent renters lose thousands of dollars to these scams. To help protect yourself, here’s what to look for… and what to avoid.
Do Your Due Diligence Before Sending Any Money
- VERIFY THE LISTING IS ON MAJOR PLATFORMS:
Always check if the home is listed on Zillow, Realtor.com, or the official property management website (like ours). If you can’t find it there, it’s a red flag.
. - CONTACT THE PROPERTY MANAGER DIRECTLY:
If the post lists an agent or management company, go to their official website and use the contact form or phone number listed there. Don’t rely on text messages or email addresses in the ad. Scammers often create fake ones.
. - NEVER SEND MONEY WITHOUT SEEING THE PROPERTY:
A legitimate company will always schedule a showing before requesting any deposits or applications. Be wary of anyone claiming they’re “out of town” or “can’t show the home right now.”
. - WATCH FOR UNREALISTIC PRICING:
If the rent seems far below similar homes in the area, that’s a major warning sign. Scammers often use too-good-to-be-true prices to lure victims.
. - CHECK FOR INCONSISTENT INFORMATION:
Mismatched details — like a different rent price, address format, or contact person — are clues that the listing may be fraudulent.
Landlords must also comply with city building codes and maintain all common areas in multi-unit properties.
What a Legitimate Process Looks Like with E&I Real Estate
At E&I Real Estate, transparency and security are our top priorities:
All of our available properties are listed on
– Zillow
– Apartments.com
– Under Paige’s personal social media channels (no business profile at this time):
– Facebook
– Instagram
– Tik-Tok
– E&I Website
.We never ask for payments or deposits through cash apps or wire transfers.
.Every applicant receives a formal application through Buildium, our secure tenant portal.
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Deposits are only collected after your application is approved and verified.
If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Always reach out to us directly before sending money or personal information.
Stay smart. Stay skeptical.
In today’s digital age, it pays to be cautious. Before you share personal information or send a deposit, take a moment to double-check every detail. A few extra minutes of research can save you from costly mistakes and unnecessary stress. At E&I Real Estate, we’re committed to helping renters find safe, verified homes through transparent and secure processes. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts — and reach out to us to confirm.