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Salina Today
By the People, for the People
Salina homeowner targeted in sophisticated online rental scam
Strangers showed up asking to move in after scammers posted fake listings using home photos
Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:49pm
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A Salina, Kansas homeowner named Melissa Williams discovered that scammers had posted fake rental listings of her home online, using photos from when she purchased the property. Strangers began showing up at her door asking to rent the home, with the scammers providing a fake state ID and lease agreement to potential renters.
Why it matters
Rental scams like this are becoming more common and sophisticated, with scammers using technology to target unsuspecting homeowners. This incident highlights the importance of homeowners monitoring their property listings online and taking steps to protect themselves from fraud.
The details
Williams said the scammer sent potential renters what appears to be a fake state ID card and lease agreement, with her husband's name but the wrong middle name, their address, and a photo that is not her husband. The scammers also told potential renters they just needed to wire $2,000 to get the keys to the house.
- On April 1, 2026, Williams' Ring doorbell alerted her to visitors at her front door asking about renting her home.
- Williams later discovered photos of her home from when she purchased it were posted on rental listings she had never seen before.
The players
Melissa Williams
A Salina, Kansas homeowner who was targeted in a sophisticated online rental scam.
What they’re saying
“They were like, 'Oh, we're here to see your house. It's for rent.' I was like, 'No it's not! I live here, it's not for rent. I don't know why you think it is.''”
— Melissa Williams, Homeowner
“That is not my husband, that is fraud, please don't wire him any money," Williams said she told one potential renter. "And she was like, 'I got a little worried when they said I just gotta wire like $2,000, and they'll FedEx the keys to the house.''”
— Melissa Williams, Homeowner
What’s next
Williams said she contacted all of the websites to take the photos down and filed a police report. Law enforcement recommends reporting to police if you believe you are the victim of a rental scam.
The takeaway
This case highlights the growing problem of sophisticated rental scams that target unsuspecting homeowners. It underscores the importance of regularly monitoring your property listings online and taking proactive steps to protect yourself from fraud, such as registering your property with the city and reporting any suspicious activity to the authorities.
