In the wake of the devastating wildfires that swept through Los Angeles County in January, scammers are exploiting desperate victims by posting fake rental listings online. One such victim of this fraudulent scheme is Doug Huberman, a Pasadena homeowner who discovered his property was falsely listed for rent without his consent.
Homeowner Uncovers Fake Listings on Multiple Platforms
Huberman was first alerted to the scam when his long-term tenants noticed strangers visiting the property to check out what they believed was a rental opportunity. A quick search online revealed that his two-bedroom, two-bathroom home was fraudulently listed on multiple platforms, including Zillow, for $3,000 per month.
“Red flags went off that there’s something going on here that we want no part of,” Huberman said.
The false listing included:
- A full-page description
- 37 photos of the property
- An alarming number of inquiries—356 in just eight hours
How the Scam Works
Scammers often target properties like Huberman’s, especially those near disaster zones, to take advantage of people urgently seeking housing. The fraudulent process typically follows these steps:
- Fake listings are posted on popular rental websites.
- Interested renters are redirected to the scammer via email or phone.
- Victims are asked for upfront payments (first month’s rent, security deposit).
- Once the payment is made via wire transfer, Zelle, or Cash App, the scammer disappears.
“No matter which website you’re on, when you click that you’re interested, you’re directed to the scammer,” Huberman explained. “That’s when they set you up to steal your money and vanish.”
Tips to Avoid Rental Scams
Neama Rahmani, President of West Coast Trial Lawyers, shared crucial advice for both renters and landlords to avoid falling victim to these scams:
For Renters:
- See the property in person before sending any money.
- Avoid wire transfers, Zelle, Cash App, or any untraceable payment methods.
- Verify the listing with property records or official rental agencies.
For Landlords:
- Set up a Google Alert for your property’s address to be notified of unauthorized listings.
- Regularly check popular rental platforms to ensure no fraudulent posts appear.
Targeting Wildfire Victims: A Despicable Scam
Huberman fears his home’s proximity to the Eaton Fire zone made it a target for scammers, who may be trying to exploit those who lost homes in the wildfires.
“It’s insult on top of injury,” he said. “It’s really just kicking somebody when they’re down.”
With many families urgently searching for new homes after the fires, victims may be more vulnerable to scams like this due to desperation and urgency.
What to Do If You Suspect a Scam
If you believe you’ve been targeted by a rental scam:
- Report the incident to the California Attorney General’s Office immediately.
- Contact local law enforcement to file a formal complaint.
- Notify the rental platform where the fraudulent listing was found to have it removed.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta is working with state authorities to crack down on fraudulent listings and protect wildfire victims from exploitation.
