Lafayette County warns residents about social media rental scams
A social-media rental ad can turn into a fast loss around Oxford. Deputies say fake TikTok listings are pushing upfront payments through Cash App and Venmo.
A TikTok rental ad asked for money upfront, and the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department is warning residents around Oxford to slow down before sending a deposit through Cash App, Venmo, or another payment app. Fake listings are circulating on social media and are aimed squarely at people trying to line up move-in dates fast.
A post advertises a property for rent, often with photos that look polished enough to pass at first glance. The person behind the account then pushes the renter to pay quickly, before a lease is signed or the property is checked in person. The Federal Trade Commission warns these scams can involve places that are not actually for rent or do not exist at all, and some scammers steal legitimate listings, replace the contact information, and repost the ad elsewhere. The FTC also warns scammers often rush victims into paying an application fee, deposit, or first month’s rent and then disappear.
Scam accounts may reuse the same image, show a very small follower count, or post a string of nearly identical photos designed to look legitimate. A real rental deal comes with a lease or other contractual paperwork, not a demand for instant payment through an app. Scammers may also ask for sensitive personal information such as a Social Security number or bank account number.
Consumers have reported nearly 65,000 rental scams since 2020, with losses totaling about $65 million, according to federal data. In July 2022, the FBI said rental and real-estate scams were spiking as rents, home prices, and inflation rose.
Cash App says it will not request funds from a customer for any reason and warns users to be cautious of social-media messages tied to scams. Anyone who has already paid money or shared personal information should save screenshots, messages, and payment records, then contact law enforcement. The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department is based at 711 Jackson Ave. East in Oxford, and its main number is (662) 234-6421. Scam reports can also be filed at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, where they are shared with more than 2,000 law-enforcement partners.
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