Search for distinctive phrases from the listing description. Scammers often copy and paste entire listings, so finding the same text elsewhere is a clear warning sign. If you find a duplicate listing, contact the property management company listed on the original website. They can confirm whether they have any Craigslist postings.
Pay attention to photo quality and watermarks. Legitimate real estate photos often have professional watermarks, while scammers typically use screenshots or edited versions to hide the original source. Recently, AI has been used extensively in rental listings. You can normally identify AI images because they look “too good to be true.” The lighting is perfect, everything in the photo is untouched, and it seems like a listing out of a fairytale.
To help you quickly identify potential scams, keep an eye out for these telltale warning signs:
- Professional photos but unprofessional listing text
- Price significantly below similar properties
- Multiple listings with identical descriptions
- Excessive formatting or ALL CAPS text
- Watermarks partially cropped or blurred
- Stock photos of home interiors
When in doubt, try reaching out to local real estate agents – they often know if their legitimate listings are being copied by scammers and can help verify a property’s authenticity.
