by WICHITA, Kan. — A Wichita woman says she was stunned when strangers showed up at her home, believing they were about to move into a house they’d rented online — only to discover they were victims of a rental scam.
Fake Listing Circulated on Facebook Marketplace
Homeowner Tori Curtis rents out her east Wichita property through a legitimate property management company. But recently, she learned that scammers had stolen her home’s photos and description to create a fake rental listing on Facebook Marketplace.
“She had been told she could rent my house by somebody named Adam,” Curtis said. “She had paid $60 for an application fee, and then they asked for another $800 to move her in.”
Curtis said the would-be tenant decided to visit the property in person before sending more money — which is when she realized the listing was fraudulent.
Victims Lose Money Before Realizing the Truth
By the time Curtis posted warnings on Facebook and filed a police report, multiple victims had already paid money to the scammer.
“I actually contacted her via email to try to warn her ahead of time,” Curtis said. “Unfortunately, she hadn’t seen it until it was too late. She told me she and her kids were heartbroken because they thought they had found a beautiful home.”
Property Managers Warn of Growing Trend
Rental scams are becoming increasingly common across Kansas and beyond. Kimmy Ostrom, manager of Property Pros Realty Group, said her company’s listings have also been targeted by fraudsters.
“We’ve had people call and say, ‘Hey, I paid money and now I’m not hearing back from the rental owner.’ And then we have to tell them, unfortunately, that wasn’t us,” Ostrom said.
She warned renters to be alert for red flags, including requests for deposits through Venmo or Cash App, unwillingness to show the property in person, or pressure to pay quickly.
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How to Avoid Falling for a Rental Scam
Experts recommend always taking the following precautions before signing a lease or paying a deposit:
- Visit the home in person before sending money.
- Verify ownership through the county property records or a licensed management company.
- Search the address online — if the home appears in multiple listings or with different prices, it’s likely a scam.
“It’s just the worst financial time to be screwing people like this,” Curtis said. “People are just trying to stay above water right now.”
Authorities Urge Reporting
Law enforcement officials are urging anyone who suspects a fake rental listing to contact local police and file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Officials also encourage victims to save screenshots, receipts, and messages to help investigators trace the scammer’s online activity.
Have you come across suspicious rental listings in your area? Share your experience or advice with others in the comments on race-day-live.com.
