Real Estate Scam Overview - Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are increasingly used for apartment hunting, but many listings are scams posted by individuals impersonating real estate agents [1] - Scammers repost legitimate videos with significantly lower rents to lure potential renters into quickly paying application fees [2] - The FBI has identified this as a growing scam [2] Scam Tactics and Impact - Scammers use photos and credentials of licensed real estate agents to create fake listings [4] - Victims are often asked to pay application fees, sometimes hundreds of dollars, for apartments they never see [3] - One victim lost $350 in an application fee for a Manhattan apartment listed at $1,100 per month [3] Social Media Response - TikTok reports proactively removing 97% of content violating impersonation guidelines in Q1 [5] - Meta uses automated and manual systems to block abusive accounts, but scammers constantly adapt their tactics [5] - Real estate agents find reporting and removing fake accounts a constant "whack-a-mole" situation [6] Prevention Tips - Research market rates to understand typical rents in the desired area [7] - Never send money for a rental unit that hasn't been seen in person [7] - Application fees are typically $25-$50, not hundreds of dollars [7] - Independently verify the contact information of the person listing the property, rather than clicking links in the ad [7]