In recent years, Facebook has become a marketplace filled with inspiration, including beautiful photos of tiny homes and affordable housing solutions. However, as interest in tiny homes grows, so does the risk of online scams. At Movable Roots, we have become increasingly aware of fraudulent posts, pages, and groups on Facebook misusing our professionally crafted tiny home photos. These scammers advertise our homes (and those of other legitimate builders) as their own, offering them at prices that seem too good to be true – and often, they are.
These fraudulent pages and groups steal professional photos from builders' websites or social media pages and use them to lure potential buyers. When someone shows interest, the scammer quickly asks for a private message, where they often request a deposit to "secure" the home. Once payment is made, the buyer is left without a tiny home, and the scammer disappears. It’s not uncommon for these scams to offer tiny homes at a drastically reduced price or even "for free," creating an attractive but deceptive offer.
Buyer Beware
How to Spot and Avoid Tiny Home Scams on Facebook:
Contact the Builder Directly: If you see a tiny home that catches your eye, reach out to the builder through official channels, like their website or verified social media pages, to confirm the listing.
Use Google Image Search: Scammers reuse photos that belong to legitimate builders. Performing a reverse image search on Google can help you verify where the image originated, revealing if the post is a copy.
Never Send a Deposit Without Verification: Reputable builders won’t rush or pressure you into payment. Avoid sending money without first speaking directly with the builder, ideally by phone or video call.
Visit the Builder’s Warehouse or Request a Virtual Tour: A legitimate tiny home builder will be willing to schedule a tour of their facilities or offer a video call walkthrough of the home to reassure you of their authenticity.
Check Reviews and References: Look for reviews on independent sites or speak with past clients to confirm the builder’s legitimacy and reputation.
Report Scams You Encounter: If you come across a suspicious listing, it’s important to report it to Facebook. While Movable Roots actively reports the misuse of our photos and logos, unfortunately, not all of these posts are removed. Your reports can make a difference and help reduce the visibility of these scams.
At Movable Roots, we work hard to deliver quality, custom-built tiny homes and value our clients' trust. If you ever come across a suspicious listing for one of our homes, please let us know so we can take steps to protect our community from these scams. Remember, a little caution can go a long way toward ensuring your tiny home journey is a safe and successful one.
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