Are Zillow Rentals Safe? How Scammers Exploit Zillow Listings
Zillow is a trusted brand, but trust in the platform does not mean every listing is safe. Here is how scammers are exploiting Zillow's reputation.
Many renters assume that because Zillow is a well-known company, all listings on the platform are verified and safe. This is not the case. While Zillow has more safeguards than Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, scammers have found ways to exploit the platform's trust signals. According to BBB data, approximately 12% of rental scam reports involve Zillow or its sister site Trulia.
What Zillow Does (and Does Not) Verify
What Zillow does:
- ✓ Requires email verification for accounts
- ✓ Uses fraud detection algorithms
- ✓ Provides a reporting mechanism
- ✓ Shows property data (Zestimate, tax records)
What Zillow does NOT do:
- x Verify that the poster owns the property
- x Confirm the poster's real identity
- x Validate that the listed price is accurate
- x Guarantee the listing is legitimate
The 4 Most Common Zillow Rental Scams
1. The Fake Landlord Listing
A scammer creates a Zillow account, finds a property that is for sale (not for rent), and lists it as a rental. The property data and photos are already on Zillow, so the fake listing looks completely legitimate. The scammer sets the rent at a reasonable price and waits for inquiries.
How to spot it: Check if the property is also listed as "for sale" on Zillow. Cross-reference the owner name in county records. Ask the "landlord" to verify they own the property.
2. The Off-Platform Redirect
The listing on Zillow looks normal, but when you inquire, the "landlord" quickly tries to move communication to email, WhatsApp, or text. Once off Zillow, they are free from the platform's monitoring and can send you to a fake website, request untraceable payments, or collect personal information.
How to spot it: Be cautious of any landlord who immediately directs you away from Zillow's messaging system. Legitimate landlords often use Zillow's built-in tools because it is convenient.
3. The Application Fee Harvest
Some scammers use Zillow's rental application features to collect personal information. They create a listing, wait for applications, and harvest the data (name, SSN, employment info, bank details) for identity theft — never intending to actually rent the property.
How to spot it: Only submit a rental application after you have viewed the property in person and verified the landlord. Never provide your SSN through an online form until you have confirmed the listing is legitimate.
4. The Intercepted Listing
In more sophisticated scams, the scammer monitors a legitimate Zillow listing. When someone inquires, the scammer contacts the prospective tenant posing as the landlord (using a similar email address or phone number). The real landlord never knows their listing has been compromised.
How to spot it: When a landlord responds to your Zillow inquiry, verify their identity independently. Look up the property management company and call their official number. Do not trust contact details provided in an email response without verifying them.
How to Rent Safely on Zillow
- Verify ownership first. Before responding to any Zillow listing, search the address on your county assessor website. Match the owner to the person or company on the listing.
- Check the property's Zillow history. Click the "Price History" and "Tax History" tabs. Is it a recently sold property now suddenly for rent? Is it listed for sale simultaneously?
- Stay on the Zillow platform. Use Zillow's messaging system as long as possible. Be cautious of landlords who immediately push you to email or text.
- View the property in person. Even on Zillow, never pay before visiting. Meet the landlord at the property and confirm they can access it.
- Use our scam checker. Before engaging with any listing, paste the description into our free tool for an instant risk assessment.
Zillow vs. Apartments.com vs. Craigslist: Scam Comparison
| Feature | Zillow | Apartments.com | Craigslist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identity verification | Email only | Phone + Email | None |
| Ownership verification | No | Partial | No |
| Fraud detection | Automated | Automated | Minimal |
| Scam % (approx) | ~12% | ~8% | ~16% |
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