Are there Rental Scams On Zillow?

On a recent podcast episode- Rent Scams On Craigslist, I talked about ways to spot and avoid them. This is due to the rampant rental listing scams on most online platforms nowadays. Zillow is not excluded, because there are rental scams on Zillow platform too.

Unlike Craigslist with its free to advertise policy, Zillow has a verification process. Most landlords on Zillow are verified. For any young working class adult trying to rent an apartment, this verification helps not to fall victims to rent scams on Zillow.

But, does it mean the platform is rid of scammers?

No, you can still get scammed on Zillow. This is because these scammers are good at looking legitimate. As a result, I show you how to avoid apartment scams as a first-time renter on the Zillow platform. Before I proceed though, here are some red flags that scream rental scams.

What Are the Red Flags On Zillow?

There are some red flags which are common sense and easy to identify. Some common red flags in rental listings include the following below:

1. Out Of State Landlords and Property Management Companies

As a first-time renter or any renter for that matter, I will not recommend going for a rental listing where the management company is not in the same state as you. Besides making it hard to reach them, it is strange. This is because a company managing any rental listing should be local. When they are local, it makes it easy to pay them a visit to see the property you are trying to rent.

This is not me being paranoid, okay?

You will agree with me that any out of state landlord or rental management company, would be hard to deal with in case of real rental issues. Therefore, it should be considered a red flag to rent from such a person, since convenience is not part of the package. This is besides the fact, there is a chance you may be dealing with a rental listing scam on Zillow.

Here is why I say not to trust such a listing below.

2. Remote Rental Applications and Viewing

It is a Zillow listing scam, when there is a 100% remote rental application and property viewing. Back in the COVID-19 pandemic, this may have been acceptable due to movement restrictions then. Nowadays, there is no reason why an apartment or home listing on Zillow should not let you come see the place.

Let me let you in on a fact.

You know a Zillow rental is legit, when you can go see it. Not only going to see it, but also you get to see the property management office and ascertain the legitimacy of the whole arrangement. If you are denied this pleasure, then it is not safe to apply for such a rental through Zillow. Complete remote rental application and viewing are a red flag.

3. Typos and Grammatical Errors On Zillow Rental Listing

Yes, I know everyone makes a mistake. However, it is not as bad as what I am about to say. Some scammers are so stupid, their rental listings on Zillow look like it was written by a child learning their alphabets.

You can laugh, but this is the truth.

This is where you see words or sentences not making grammatical sense. This includes excessive use of asterisks or exclamation marks. These are common red flags in rental listing. It is either this scammer is working from a non-English country or they were in a rush to care for professional presentation. It says all you need to know about the mind behind the apartment listing.

Additionally, I want you to be wary of listing whose rent prices change frequently. Or, a listing whose rent is not the same as what was posted when you contact the rental property. Some rental properties will say it is a tactic used to get customers, but I always chuck it up to rent scams on Zillow. This is due to dishonesty, which I consider a red flag with rental properties.

4. External Links Or Codes Leading Away From Zillow Platform

This is a big red flag. Sometimes, scammers on Zillow want you to follow a link outside of the platform to apply. It may come in the form of codes sent to your phone or links to your email address. They often want you go to their real estate websites.

Do not attempt to continue, when you come across such a listing.

This is because it may compromise your security. It is one of the phishing tactics to get you to reveal your personal information. Or worse, a good way to hack into your phone to get them. Any rental listing attempting to lead you away from the Zillow platform with a link or code is a red flag to avoid.

5. A Sob Story Behind the Rental Listing

This is a common red flag with home rental scams on Zillow. The person who listed the property may tell you a sob story about why they are trying to rent it out. Often times, these stories are too personal and unnecessary to be in a business setting. They are meant to tug your heart strings, so you can dig into your pocket and let cash flow.

My dear WeeklyBagel listener/reader, get yourself a heart made of stone for this occasion. Do you know why?

Anyone trying to rent you a property by selling you a sob story, is trying quite hard to rent you something that may be a problem. I consider rental listings with sob stories- Zillow rental scams. This is because you do not bring in personal life stories into business. My gut instincts always start ringing after I hear that and yours should ring too, because it is a red flag.

6. Financial Request Before You See the Rental Property

Zillow listing fraud always come with a financial request. This is where you are asked to put down some money as a security deposit, before you get to see the property. This is a red flag, that should set off your instincts immediately it happens.

Personally, I do not proceed pass this point. I just end everything and go for the next listing. This is especially, when they make it hard for me to come see the place.

Sometimes, these scammers would tell you how Zillow guarantees your money back in case of a failed rental application. Do not be gullible. I do not recommend paying any money on Zillow, until you have toured the apartment or home.

7. No Credit Or Background Check Needed

On What Credit Score Do You Need For An Apartment episode, I talked about the importance of having a great credit score. This is because all apartments run a check to make sure you will not be a liability to them. Scammers in a rush to scam renters on Zillow would offer you deals so good, it makes Jesus Christ weep.

Here is an example of such a sweet deal meant to get you scammed.

“**COME RENT 1-BEDROOM APARTMENT NOW AT $599!!!!!!!! No credit, income or background check needed. You just apply!!!**

Whenever you see a Zillow listing like the one above, it is a Zillow listing scam. Firstly, any legitimate landlord will run a criminal and credit background check on you. Rental businesses always want to rent out to responsible people. They cannot determine whether you will make rent every month, if they do not run these checks on you.

So, Zillow listings offering no income, credit or background checks are rental scams on Zillow. I will not consider going further with them. This is regardless of how enticing these offers are.

How To Avoid Rental Scams On Zillow

Now you have a clue of what red flags to avoid, this is how I want you to avoid rental scams on Zillow.

1. Ask To See License Or Business Registration

Every rental business is registered. If it is an LLC, you can find the business registration on your state government website. Otherwise, you can just ask for the license of the realtor broker or agent.

What if they refuse to show you?

I would consider it a red flag and go somewhere else. This is because most of these information is public knowledge anyways. If the company is registered, you can look it up to see whether it is legitimate. But, it does not mean it is the person talking to you works for it.

So, this is what I want you do.

If your gut instincts ever suspects something is not right with a rental listing on Zillow, ask for the business name. Then, go online to see reviews and business registration. Also, ask to see the documents showing the rental business is legitimate.

Usually, Zillow verifies legitimate landlords. It makes things easy, but do not forget people can still forge documents. This is where you do the next thing below.

2. Go Tour the Place In Person

I am a huge advocate for face to face business dealings. Remote viewing and remote application are massive red flags on rental listings. This is because you can get scammed on Zillow as a result.

So, get the address of the rental property and go in person to tour it. When you get there, here are my list of your check-offs to make sure it is not a scammer trying to rent out another person’s place.

• Presence of a leasing office
• There is a business license or realtor license on the walls
• You are meeting this person in a legitimate-looking leasing office.
• The leasing office is on the property.
• You can ask residents on the property and they can confirm about the legitimacy of the leasing office and agent.

I use the above all the time, when I find a listing on Zillow and go to see it in person. It helps you avoid Zillow listing scam, since you can ascertain for yourself the legitimacy of the listing. You can see through rental scams on Zillow, when you go tour the place in person.

3. Do Not Use Untraceable Payment Methods

I was reading a couple of reddit posts on rent scams on Zillow. A Majority of the victims were asked to pay a security deposit through untraceable or un-cancelable payment methods. This includes the following below:

• Zelle- the most used method of the scam.
• Cryptocurrency
• Western Union
• MoneyGram

Here are my unbreakable rule to never getting scammed on Zillow.

NEVER PAY ANYONE A SINGLE CENT, EVEN AS A SECURITY DEPOSIT UNTIL YOU HAVE SEEN THE PLACE AND DETERMINE IT IS LEGITIMATE.

If you follow this rule, you will never fall victim to scammers on Zillow. I would be more cautious, if they try to give me guarantees on refunds. And, they always try that to lower your guard.

4. Do Not Offer Sensitive Information Prior To Pre-Boarding

Some rental scams just want access to your financial and personal information, so as to render your life useless. This is through clearing your bank account or committing credit frauds using your personal information. You can avoid this risk by not providing the rental agent on Zillow with your social security number.

Does that mean it is not safe to give Zillow your SSN?

Personally, I do not share my SSN with Zillow. This is because I am not comfortable sharing my SSN on online platforms. It is not just me. Some of my fellow working class peers I have talked to, feel exactly the same way. We just get the rental property address and go there to apply in person. I recommend you do the same too.

5. Use Only Verified Realtors On Zillow

Your chances of getting scammed on Zillow, decreases immensely when you use verified realtors on the platform. It does not mean Zillow has verified the credentials of these realtors. It just means the verified realtor meets some of Zillow’s guidelines to list a property.

Zillow still recommends you do your own research of any leasing agent on its platform. What does this say about verified listings?

You still have to be careful, regardless of whether a listing is from a verified source. I still recommend you go see the place first and not to give a single cent to anyone until you have seen the place. It is how you avoid rental scams on Zillow.

How Do I Report A Scam On Zillow?

When you come as a scam on Zillow, I recommend you report it immediately. You will be doing a service to all working class adults trying to find a roof over their heads. In case of situations where you have been scammed of money, it is best to report the fraud to the method of payments.

Here is what I meant.

If you were scammed on Zelle, report it to Zelle. The same goes for Western Union or MoneyGram. With Western Union or MoneyGram, you can reverse the payment if the money has not been collected yet.

I recommend you report any financial fraud to the Federal Trade Commission.

Additionally, fraudulent listings can be reported on Zillow. When you see any of the red flags I mentioned earlier, you can do the following below to report it to Zillow.

• On the top right of the listing, click on More.
• Select Report problem with listing on the drop down options.

A series of additional questions will be asked in order to ascertain what is going on. Be sure to select the issues you experience, so the appropriate actions will be taken on the listing. It is how you report a scam on Zillow.

Finally, you can also report fraud on Zillow to law enforcement. This is especially, when you have met the person face to face and money is involved. You can report to the police and FBI, so investigation will be done to bring these scammers to justice.

On the whole, Zillow has scams happening on its platforms. You can identify red flags and avoid these scams on Zillow by being pragmatic and trusting your gut feelings. I believe you have a great chance at not being a victim, when you follow everything I have talked about here.