09/15/2026
PUBLIC SAFETY ALERT COMMUNITY WARNING:
BEWARE OF FRAUDULENT HOME RENTALS. REAL ESTATE & TIKTOK RENTAL SCAMS
The Paris Police Department is warning residents of a growing rental scam targeting home buyers and renters in our community.
Scammers are taking video tours and photos of legitimate homes listed for sale in Paris, Texas, and posting them on TikTok, Facebook Marketplace, and other social media platforms as available rental properties.
Victims are paying deposit money and first month’s rent online, moving into the homes, and only later discovering that the property was never for rent and they have been scammed.
RED FLAGS TO WATCH FOR
• Properties Listed for Sale: The home has a "For Sale" sign in the yard but is advertised online as a rental.
• Low Rent Prices: The monthly rent is significantly lower than market value for the area.
• No In-Person Tour: The "landlord" claims to be out of town, out of state, or unable to meet you in person to show the inside of the home.
• Urgent Payment Requests: You are pressured to send money immediately via Peer-to-Peer payment apps (Cash App, Zelle, Venmo, Wire Transfer, or Gift Cards) to "hold" the property.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
• Verify the Listing: Check official real estate websites (Zillow, Realtor.com) or contact a local licensed real estate agent to confirm if the property is actually for sale, not for rent.
• Never Send Money Sight Unseen: Do not transfer money or pay a deposit until you have physically walked through the home with the verified owner or official property manager.
• Cross-Check the Landlord: Ensure the person offering the lease actually owns the property by checking public records on the Lamar County Appraisal District website.
