ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Thousands of rental scams on social media are tricking would-be renters into putting down deposits and signing a lease, only to find out it’s a scam.
Local realtor and AI expert Jeremias Maneiro uses artificial intelligence to uncover scammers posting hundreds of fake listings.
Fake listings
In a social media video, Arnold Park Apartments, in the Park Ave neighborhood, was listed for $700.
The TikTok video advertising the apartment turned out to be a scam. In reality, a studio at Arnold Park Apartments costs $905 plus monthly fees, totaling $1,030.
“It’s a system of bad people that are using the same templates in different markets,” Maneiro said.
Reporting the fakes
Maneiro found that each scam listing looks almost identical and uses stolen photos from real listings. He identified 380 different accounts churning out scam listings in the area. Using AI, Maneiro reported the fake listings to TikTok, which quickly removed them.
“That guy’s gone. Tomorrow morning, another one pops up. And so it’s really challenging to combat it,” Maneiro said.
Maneiro saw 47 scam videos removed in one week, but 100 more appeared.
“In the age of AI, and technology being what it is, I think that was part of their plan. We know some are going to be reported. If 40 come down we’re going to put 80 up tomorrow. It doesn’t matter. They can’t keep up with us,” Maneiro said.
Spotting the red flags
Maneiro advised renters to watch for red flags, such as rent priced well below market value or deposits that are less than one month’s rent.
“The deposit is well below—typically in our market it’s one month’s rent. So if it’s half or no deposit required that’s a red flag,” Maneiro said.
If a listing looks too good to be true, it probably is. Maneiro recommended searching the address online to find the real listing.
He also warned that some scammers use AI to invent rentals on streets that do not exist. If the address cannot be found, that is another warning sign.
Renters should remember it costs nothing to use a realtor, who can help identify fake listings and find legitimate rentals.
Related stories
Consumer Investigation: TikTok account posting fake Upstate and WNY listings with stolen photos Consumer Investigation: AI scam makes it easier for scammer to create fake rental listingsConsumer Alert: That cheap apartment on TikTok may be fake: Here’s how to spot fake listings WHEC.com.
Hence then, the article about consumer alert that cheap apartment on tiktok may be fake here s how to spot fake listings was published today ( ) and is available on News10NBC ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Consumer Alert: That cheap apartment on TikTok may be fake: Here’s how to spot fake listings )
Also on site :
- Andrea Bocelli and Ludacris Are Ringing in 2027 at the Same Tropical Destination, and It’s Not Where You’d Expect
- Hotel workers from 6 major Chicago hotels go on strike as Chicago Marathon weekend begins
- New Avatar Animated Series About Teen Kuruk Ordered At Paramount+, Seven Havens Scores Double Renewal