Not Just A Champagne Problem: Why The Rise Of Leasing Application Fraud Is Bad For Regular Renters

Core Insights - The article highlights a significant rise in leasing application fraud affecting property managers and landlords across the United States, with a notable case involving a Florida-based property management company [1][2][3]. Group 1: Fraud Trends - Leasing application fraud has increased, with 75% of property managers reporting a rise in fraudulent applications according to a 2024 study by RealPage and Dimensional Research [4]. - There are two main types of leasing application fraud: first-party fraud, where tenants manipulate their real identities, and third-party fraud, where scammers use stolen identities [3][4]. Group 2: Contributing Factors - The shift to online leasing processes and advancements in AI technology have made it easier for scammers to perpetrate fraud [5]. - Property managers have not identified specific factors such as location or unit type that make properties more vulnerable to leasing application fraud [5].