TikTok Rental Scam Targets Celina Couple’s Property

A Celina couple discovered that someone had copied information about their property and fraudulently advertised it as a rental on TikTok.

According to WHIO-TV, Jodi McHargue learned about the listing after the manager of the development where the couple’s cottage is located contacted her. Leasing is prohibited within the development, and the manager initially believed the McHargues were attempting to rent the property.

The couple was actually trying to sell the cottage and had never advertised it for rent.

McHargue contacted her real estate agent, who placed a notice on the door explaining that the property was for sale and not available to rent. She also filed a police report, contacted the Federal Trade Commission and repeatedly reported the social-media listing as fraudulent.

WHIO reports that the listing was discovered before anyone paid the scammer.

The Better Business Bureau advises prospective renters to investigate online listings carefully, request additional photographs and be suspicious of offers that appear unusually inexpensive or too good to be true.