Finding an affordable rental in North Texas can be challenging. Scammers are taking advantage of that frustration by copying legitimate real estate listings and advertising the properties as inexpensive rentals on social media.
A recent report from BAM describes scammers taking photographs and property information from genuine listings and reposting them on TikTok. The advertised rent is often far below market value, making the supposed opportunity difficult for prospective renters to ignore.
These scams have been documented in other states. Although the reporting does not identify a specific Fort Worth-area case, the same method could be used with any publicly advertised property—including homes throughout Tarrant, Parker, Wise, Denton, and Johnson counties.
How the scam works
The scam usually begins with a real property listing. The scammer copies its photographs, description, or virtual tour and creates a fraudulent rental advertisement using different contact information.
When a prospective renter responds, the scammer may claim that demand is high or that the property cannot be shown until an application is approved. The renter is then asked to pay an application fee, deposit, or first month’s rent before seeing the home.
Payment may be requested through services such as Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a wire transfer. Once the money is sent, the fake account and supposed landlord may disappear.
The Federal Trade Commission warns that rental scammers may also request Social Security numbers, driver’s licenses, pay stubs, credit information, and other personal details. That means victims can face identity theft in addition to losing money.
Warning signs of a fake rental listing
Be cautious when you notice any of the following:
- The rent is substantially lower than comparable homes in the area.
- The person refuses to show the property before collecting money.
- You are pressured to act immediately because other renters are supposedly waiting.
- The advertisement does not provide a complete property address.
- The contact telephone number is from outside the area.
- The same social-media account advertises properties in several unrelated states.
- The home is listed for sale elsewhere but advertised as a rental on social media.
- Payment is requested through a wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency, or cash-transfer application.
- The person claiming to represent the property cannot provide verifiable identification or professional credentials.
How renters can protect themselves
Search the complete property address online before submitting an application or sending money. Compare the social-media advertisement with listings on established real estate websites.
If the price, property status, photographs, or contact information differs, stop and investigate further.
Whenever possible, tour the property in person before paying. Verify the owner or property-management company independently rather than relying on the telephone number or website provided in the advertisement.
You can also contact a licensed real estate professional and ask for help confirming whether the property is legitimately available.
How homeowners can be affected
This scam does not only hurt renters. When criminals copy an active listing, strangers may contact the seller—or even arrive at an occupied home—believing that it is available for rent.
Homeowners selling a property should occasionally search their address online and notify their real estate agent if they find an unfamiliar advertisement. Any fraudulent listing should be reported to the platform immediately.
What to do if you discover a scam
Save screenshots of the advertisement, profile, messages, payment requests, and contact information before the account disappears.
Report the fraudulent advertisement to the platform where it appeared. If money or personal information was provided, contact local law enforcement and report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If you paid through a bank, credit card, or payment application, contact the financial institution immediately. Recovery is not guaranteed, but acting quickly may improve your options.
Trust, but verify
A rental price that appears unusually attractive deserves additional scrutiny. Legitimate landlords and property managers should be willing to identify themselves, explain the application process, and demonstrate that they are authorized to rent the property.
Before sending money or personal information, verify the address, ownership, property status, and person handling the transaction.
TexasVet Realty Group is available to help North Texas renters, buyers, sellers, veterans, and families evaluate property information and avoid costly mistakes.
Sources:
Federal Trade Commission, “Rental Listing Scams,” June 2026;
BAM, “The TikTok Rental Scam Using Your Clients’ Listings as Bait,” August 28, 2026.