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Replies (12)
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26842
I noticed that Zillow recently added a feature for reporting rental scams so they can stay on top of them. In order to find it, hover your cursor over edit on the home details page, scroll to "report problem with ..." and then you'll see a pop up box. In the drop down list, chose rental scam.
You'll see the following (fill in your request):
Customer service is lightly staffed on weekends, but they do stop by. Here's Zillow's FAQ on scams and internet fraud.
You'll see the following (fill in your request):
Customer service is lightly staffed on weekends, but they do stop by. Here's Zillow's FAQ on scams and internet fraud.
- Pat Pribisko, "Pat Pribisko"
- Contributions:1426
There is no reason to panic. Your problem can be fixed by Zillow. I clicked the flag at the bottom right of the question window. That means that I alerted Zillow that you have a problem.
- scottlief
- Contributions:0
Thanks for your responses. That wasn't panic in my voice, it was irritation that I can't resolve this with a phone call but instead have to post in a public forum. I have flagged the posting as a rental scam but I want the information about who posted it so they can be tracked down. The scammers have contacted a potential buyer requesting a $1500 deposit be sent to rent the house. It was sent from an email account that closely impersonates my wife's. I have opened an inquiry with the FBI and would like Zillow to tell me who has been accessing my listing. How do I go about getting this information? Thanks...
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26842
I'm not from Zillow but I hope you used the space in the "report problem" form for the request for more information so it is linked with your address and the scam specifically.
Many of these scammers are overseas, and hence outside the reach of US laws but Zillow does block IP addresses.
Many of these scammers are overseas, and hence outside the reach of US laws but Zillow does block IP addresses.
- scottlief
- Contributions:0
24 hours later and it is still listed as a rental on Zillow. This is what is infuriating about Zillow's crappy customer service. They are helping to spread bad information because they have no system for handling issues in a timely manner.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25139
Part of the problem may be that Zillow got your flag on Saturday morning and that department is lightly staffed on weekends. That is obviously not your problem and I agree that fraud flags should be fast tracked to help shut them down.
I do not know if Zillow has any more than the IP address of the person listing the scam, but I have no doubt that if they are contacted by law enforcement in an investigation that they will do what they can to help. Internet scams are everywhere I wish that there was a better way to shut them down than just reporting them and having them move onto the next scam.
I do not know if Zillow has any more than the IP address of the person listing the scam, but I have no doubt that if they are contacted by law enforcement in an investigation that they will do what they can to help. Internet scams are everywhere I wish that there was a better way to shut them down than just reporting them and having them move onto the next scam.
- scottlief
- Contributions:0
I was just about to flag the post again but the rental information has now been removed. Thank you Zillow. It doesn't change the fact that companies who do not provide a customer service phone number suck.
- Nayna Bawa, "Nayna Bawa"
- Contributions:114
Unfortunately, in this economy, many people are trying to taking advantage of these rental schemes. If you want to pursue a cause of action against this perpetrator, try contacting the Federal Trade Commission. Their number is 1-877-FTC-HELP or you can also go online to www.ic3.gov.com. This site is affiliated with the FBI and handles cyber security complaints. I personally have contacted the FTC myself recently when someone tried to claim a rental listing on my exclusive for sale listing. That person posted on Craig's list and required an upfront deposit.
Best of Luck!
Best of Luck!
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25139
I am glad that you got it removed. I hate scammers in a big way and I hope there is special place in hell for them.
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26842
I glad you got it removed. Zillow is a tiny company and while they do have some customer support on weekends, it is much lighter than business hours on weekdays. Of course, many of the scammers sneak out of hiding about 5 pm PST on Fridays. I (and many others) have encouraged Z more than once to up off hour customer service, but I'm just one voice in the wilderness.
- Rachel Rosen, "RachelRosen"
- Contributions:1493
Hi Scott,
We have taken down the rental. Thank you for notifying us.
We have taken down the rental. Thank you for notifying us.
- Bill Knapp, "bknapprealtor"
- Contributions:17
I am so glad you reported this scam to the authorities, in my experience that is the correct thing to do. I have had listings scamed and received calls from renters who had already sent in their security deposit to the scammer before they realized what was going on.
It is a crime and the sooner we report the quicker the consumer is protected.
It is a crime and the sooner we report the quicker the consumer is protected.
Someone listed my house as a rental on Zillow when in fact it is for sale.
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