South Jersey realtor warns of TikTok rental scam using cloned property listings

July 24, 2026 - 11:34

A real estate agent in South Jersey is alerting the public to a growing scam on TikTok where fraudsters clone real property listings to trick renters. According to local agents, scammers copy legitimate rental ads, including photos and video tours, and repost them on the social media platform at prices far below market rate.

The goal is to lure potential tenants into sending deposits or personal information for a property that does not actually exist or is not available for rent. One realtor told Action News that the cloned listings look convincing because they use real images and details from actual homes currently on the market. The scam often targets people searching for affordable housing, offering deals that seem too good to pass up.

Victims may be asked to pay an application fee or a security deposit through cash apps or wire transfers before ever seeing the property in person. Once the money is sent, the scammer disappears. The realtor advises anyone looking to rent to verify listings through official property management sites or a licensed agent. They also recommend never sending money without first touring the property or confirming the landlord's identity. Local authorities are investigating the fraudulent accounts, but the fake posts continue to appear.