How Rental Listing Job Scams Exploit the Remote Work Trend

When given the option to work remotely or commute five days a week, most employees would likely prefer working from home. Scammers are aware of this trend and exploit it by advertising fake remote jobs to unsuspecting victims. All they need to do is post rental listings on various platforms.

In reality, these ads are fake, and the properties do not exist. Thus, the victims are unwittingly at the forefront of the scam.

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Rental listing scams have two victims: people looking for remote jobs and potential renters.

Job seekers become accomplices of scammers without suspecting anything is wrong. They post fake rental listings, thinking it’s part of their job, not realizing they are helping scammers cast their net as widely as possible.

Once someone is interested in renting one of the fake properties, scammers try to convince them to pay a deposit. Once the deposit has been paid, scammers disappear. They have achieved their goal.

The Main Problem: A Scam with Two Sets of Victims

This scam involves two sets of victims.

Scammers first trick job seekers into becoming their “employees”. Then, they trick people looking for a house to rent into paying a deposit for a property that doesn’t exist.

Victims of this scam typically jump on remote job offers and property listings without first doing a background check. Unfortunately, “the employees” realize they’re involved in a scam only when people who paid for a fake rental deposit confront them.

The Link Between Fake House Ads and Remote Work

With more people preferring to work remotely, the demand for remote jobs and rental properties is rising.

Scammers are taking advantage of these trends by offering fake remote jobs and posting fake rental listings.

It’s often hard to spot these fake listings because they typically use real photos and may even impersonate legitimate rental agencies.

Scammers often pose as property managers and devise excuses to avoid meeting or showing the property in person.

How Does the Scam Works: Rental Listing Job Scam

Scammers often contact their victims on WhatsApp or post job listings on forums and freelance platforms. They claim they need a freelancer to post online ads about rental properties.

If they reach out via platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, scammers will try to move the conversation to WhatsApp. Their goal is to take you off these platforms.

Scammers may offer around $1,000 per week for this job. They will instruct you immediately on what to post and where to do it. Their instructions may involve asking the unsuspecting renters to reach somebody else.

If you ask additional questions, they will avoid giving a clear answer and steer the conversation to the advantages you have by collaborating with them.

Red Flags to Watch For

For Job Seekers

Scammers are always in a hurry, pressuring you to quickly post photos of rental properties. They focus on the instructions you need to follow and avoid answering any questions you might have.

Their English may sound awkward, and the job descriptions and rental listings are poorly written. These scams are typically operated by scammers from non-English-speaking countries.

They may offer high wages, promising up to $1,000 per week. Remember, anything that promises easy money is usually a scam.

Another red flag is shallow job requirements. Scammers want to “hire” as many people as possible. They might say you are hired instead of following a company’s usual hiring steps.

For Those Looking for Rentals

Scammers often create a sense of urgency by claiming the rental is in high demand. The pressure makes victims act quickly, sometimes without checking if the ad is real.

Scammers avoid face-to-face meetings or property viewings. They often say the owner is out of the country and wants to handle everything online.

Be cautious if you see multiple rental ads for the same address but with different names for the owner or rental company. This is a common sign of a scam.

The Impact of Falling Victim to This Scam

When the victims started reporting your account for the fake property listings, the police and authorities could blame you.

As you’re acting as the middle person in a rental scam, despite being unaware, the victims and police will think you’re the scammer. This means you could face legal trouble and have to prove you weren’t the one running the scam. It’s a significant risk to take for what seemed like an easy job.

Another consequence is that your account could be banned on the platforms where you posted fake rental listings. For example, Facebook might permanently ban your Marketplace account.

Discovering you’ve been scammed makes you less trusting of other remote job opportunities. This skepticism can make it harder for legitimate remote job offers to attract candidates and build trust.

Victims often feel ashamed and guilty for unknowingly aiding scammers. They might also feel responsible for the financial loss suffered by others who paid the deposit requested by the scammers.

Additionally, they may also stress about potential legal consequences if someone reports them for the fake listings they posted.

Avoiding the Scam [Safety Tips]

For Job Seekers

To avoid these scams as someone looking for a remote job, always research job offers and the companies behind them. Look for reviews and testimonials from other workers.

Use trusted job platforms and verify the legitimacy of the job through independent sources. If you need clarification, contact the company directly.

For Renters

Consider doing a reverse image search and verify if there’s a listing on multiple websites to see if it’s posted consistently. In most cases, scammers use stolen images, so take it as a red flag if you find somebody else selling the property when the person you are talking to is offering it as a rental property.

Use reputable rental platforms that offer fraud protection and have verified listings.

Look up the landlord or rental agent online. Check for reviews or any reports of scams. Stick to well-known rental sites and be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true. If the rent is much lower than similar places in the area, it’s probably a scam.

Always visit the property in person before paying any money.

Be wary of landlords who ask for deposits before you’ve seen the property or signed a contract.

Don’t send money for a property you haven’t seen or to someone you haven’t met in person. If you can’t visit the property or sign a contract before paying, keep looking for other options.

Also, if someone tries to rush you into making a decision because other potential renters are interested in that property, it’s best to walk away.

What to Do if You Already Become a Victim

For Job Seekers

If you’ve accepted a job offer from scammers and noticed early red flags, immediately cut off communication with them and delete any related listings you’ve posted. If they threaten you, block them. Save screenshots of your conversations with the scammer, as these may help prove your innocence, especially if authorities get involved.

For Renters

If you’ve already transferred money to a scammer, report the case to the payment platform you used, such as PayPal, Venmo, CashApp, or your bank if you used a bank transfer. However, be aware that recovering the money may not be guaranteed. Also, watch out for recovery scammers who may try to scam you again. 

How to Report Scammers

Warn your family and friends to know about this scam to prevent them from falling victim.

Report the scammers to the platform where you met them. You can also report scammers and any suspicious activity to the Federal Trade, and the FBI Internet Complaint Center by using the pages below:

• Report to the FTC
• Report to the FBI Internet Complaints Center

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Feel free to explore additional articles on related fraud. Last but not least, if you had any bad experiences, make sure to use the comments section below to expose the scammers!