How do I report a rental scam on Facebook Marketplace?

Click the three dots (...) on the listing, select "Report listing," choose "Scam or fraud," and follow the prompts. Also report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Unfortunately, Facebook's response time is inconsistent, so also warn others in local housing groups.

Can I get my money back from a Facebook rental scam?

It depends on how you paid. Credit card payments can be disputed. Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App payments are very difficult to reverse because they are treated as authorized transactions. If you used Zelle, contact your bank immediately — some banks will reverse Zelle fraud if reported within 24-48 hours.

Are Facebook Marketplace rental listings verified?

No. Facebook does not verify that the person posting a rental listing actually owns or manages the property. Anyone can list any property on Marketplace. This is why independent verification through county records and in-person viewings is essential.

Facebook Marketplace Rental Scams in 2026: What You Need to Know

Facebook Marketplace has surpassed Craigslist as the #1 source of rental scams. Here is why it happened and how to protect yourself.

According to FTC data and BBB Scam Tracker reports, approximately 50% of all rental scams in the United States now originate on Facebook Marketplace. This makes it the single largest platform for rental fraud, surpassing Craigslist, Zillow, and all other sites combined.

The reason is simple: Facebook provides something Craigslist never could — social trust signals. A scammer with a real-looking profile, mutual friends, and local group memberships appears far more trustworthy than an anonymous Craigslist poster.

Why Facebook Marketplace Is a Scammer's Paradise

Several features of Facebook Marketplace make it uniquely vulnerable to rental fraud:

Fake profiles are easy to create. Scammers buy aged Facebook accounts or create new ones with stolen photos. A profile that looks three years old with 200 friends is not hard to fabricate.
Local housing groups provide targets. Scammers join groups like "Apartments for Rent in [City]" where members assume everyone is local and trustworthy.
Messenger builds false rapport. Unlike email, Messenger feels personal. Scammers use friendly conversation to build trust before asking for money.
Peer-to-peer payments are hard to reverse. Scammers request Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App, which are almost impossible to dispute once sent.
Reporting is inconsistent. Facebook's automated moderation frequently misses fraudulent rental listings while removing legitimate ones.

The Typical Facebook Rental Scam Playbook

Here is how a typical Facebook Marketplace rental scam plays out in 2026:

The scammer finds a real listing. They copy photos, description, and address from a legitimate listing on Zillow, Apartments.com, or a property management site.
They post it on Marketplace at a lower price. A $2,000/month apartment becomes $1,400. The deal looks amazing but not impossibly low.
They respond quickly to inquiries. Through Messenger, they are friendly, professional, and answer questions about the property (using details from the real listing).
They offer a "virtual tour." Instead of meeting in person, they send a video walkthrough (often stolen from the real listing or a real estate video site).
They create urgency. "I have three other people interested. If you can send the deposit today, I can hold it for you."
They collect payment via Zelle or Venmo. They ask for first month's rent plus security deposit, typically $2,000-$4,000.
They disappear. The Messenger account goes silent. The Facebook profile may be deleted entirely.

How to Spot a Facebook Marketplace Rental Scam

Check the Profile

When was the account created? Click the profile and look for the "Joined Facebook" date.
How many friends? Scam accounts often have under 50 friends or have hundreds of friends all from one foreign country.
Is there real activity? Scroll through their timeline. Real people have years of posts, tagged photos, and comments from friends.
Profile vs. cover photo: Reverse image search both. Scammers often use stock photos or stolen images.

Check the Listing

Reverse image search the rental photos.
Search the address on Zillow or Realtor.com to find the real owner and actual rental price.
Compare the listed price against local averages using our scam checker tool.
Paste the listing text into Google in quotes to see if it has been copied from elsewhere.

Check the Communication

Do they refuse to do a video call? Scammers avoid live video.
Do they discourage you from visiting the property in person?
Are they pushing you to pay quickly?
Do they only accept Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, or wire transfers?

What Facebook Is (and Is Not) Doing About It

Facebook has added some protections, including listing verification prompts and rental scam warning banners, but enforcement remains inconsistent. Facebook does not verify that someone posting a rental actually owns or manages the property. There is no identity verification for Marketplace sellers. The burden of verification falls entirely on you, the renter.

Protect Yourself in 5 Steps

Never pay before viewing in person. No matter how good the deal, no matter how trustworthy the person seems. Period.
Verify ownership independently. Check county assessor records to confirm who actually owns the property.
Insist on a formal lease. Real landlords have lease agreements with their legal name, the property address, terms, and rent amount.
Pay by check to a business entity. Never Zelle, Venmo, or wire transfer for a deposit. A check to an LLC or property management company provides a paper trail.
Use our free checker tool. Before engaging with any listing, run it through our scam detection engine for an instant risk assessment.