Renters in the Philadelphia region are being warned about fake apartment listings after a real estate professional said scammers copied rental photos from her brokerage and reposted the property across Facebook Marketplace.
NBC10 Philadelphia reported a spike in rental scams, with NBC10 Responds reporter Valeria Aponte-Feliciano showing how prospective tenants can be targeted before they realize the person behind a listing does not control the property.
Yara Wilkins, with the Pocono Mountains Association of Realtors, said the scam came to her attention after someone called her office confused about a rental listing.
The caller said the property appeared on Facebook Marketplace for $1,100, while the same rental was listed for significantly more on other sites.
The Same Rental Was Posted Under Nine Different Owners
Wilkins told NBC10 that scammers stole photos from her brokerage’s website and used them to create fake rental listings. When she checked Facebook Marketplace after the caller contacted her office, she found the same property listed “nine different ways under nine different owners,” with different prices attached to the posts.
The listings were convincing because the property itself appeared desirable. Wilkins described the area as walkable to restaurants and art galleries, the kind of location that can make an underpriced rental feel like a rare deal.
NBC10 said fake rental listings often lure renters with prices that appear too good to pass up in an ideal location. Once the renter responds, the person behind the ad may move quickly toward a payment request.
The Money Request Can Come Before A Showing
Wilkins said scammers may ask for a fee to hold the property, a fee to see the property, or a traditional down payment. After the money is sent, the listing disappears and the scammer disappears with it, NBC10 reported.
She also warned that requests for payment through money transfer apps or cryptocurrency can be a red flag. Those payment methods can be difficult to reverse once the money leaves the renter’s account.
The Federal Trade Commission gives similar guidance on rental listing scams. The agency warns that scammers may copy photos and descriptions from real listings, change the contact information, and ask for money before the renter has verified the property or landlord.
Renters Can Check The License Before Sending Money
Wilkins told NBC10 that renters can protect themselves by doing a quick search to see whether the person they are dealing with has a real estate license. In Pennsylvania, renters can use PALS.pa.gov, then search for a person under the license verification section.
In the NBC10 segment, Wilkins’ name was used as an example. The search showed her license and the company she works for, giving renters a way to call the company directly and verify whether the agent and listing are real.
Wilkins said renters should avoid working with someone who does not appear in the license search when they claim to be a licensed real estate professional.
A Real Property Can Still Be Used In A Fake Ad
The Philadelphia-area warning is not just about made-up apartments. A scammer can copy photos from a real brokerage site, lower the price, change the contact information, and post the same property as if they are the owner or agent.
Renters should compare the listing across multiple sites, search the address separately, call the brokerage or property manager through a number found independently, and avoid sending money before the property, lease, and person collecting payment have been verified.
Wilkins said she now gets a call about this kind of situation about once a week. She described what is happening as “very, very scary.”