Rental Scams Use Fake Listings to Target Rochester Renters
Scammers are posting fake apartment ads on Facebook Marketplace that charge fees exceeding New York’s $20 legal limit.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Apartments
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Scammers are using Facebook Marketplace to lure Rochester apartment hunters with fake rental listings that include illegal application fees. Prospective tenants are being targeted for fees ranging from $30 to $75, well above the legal state limit.
Why it matters
Fraudulent listings have proliferated as demand for affordable housing remains high, particularly following the elimination of federal funding for permanent supportive housing. These scams specifically target individuals seeking budget-friendly living options in a competitive rental market.
New York law mandates that rental application fees cannot exceed $20, yet scammers are demanding $30 to $75 for units that are not actually available. While some victims operate on monthly housing budgets as low as $350 to $400, market rates for local efficiency apartments currently exceed $1,100.
The players
New York Attorney General
The state authority that oversees consumer protection and investigates fraudulent real estate practices.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
The federal agency responsible for national housing policy and funding for permanent supportive housing.
Facebook Marketplace
A social commerce platform where users buy and sell goods and services, frequently used for property rentals.
The details
Scammers create enticing fake rental listings on Facebook Marketplace to solicit upfront application fees from desperate housing seekers. Once a user expresses interest, the fraudster requests these illegal fees via digital payment, while the properties themselves remain unavailable or fictitious. The scheme exploits the significant gap between affordable housing budgets and the actual fair market rates required for local apartments.
Timeline
October 27, 2026: Fraudulent rental listing activity reported in Rochester.
The Home Front
The emergence of these scams highlights the difficulty of finding affordable housing in the current market, where prices often far exceed federal fair market estimates. These fraudulent activities complicate an already restricted landscape for renters following the loss of permanent supportive housing funding.
Never send money for an application fee that exceeds $20, and always confirm property availability through official tax records before providing payment. If you suspect a rental listing on Facebook Marketplace is fraudulent, report it to the New York Attorney General complaint page.
The takeaway
Always verify that a property exists and is actually for rent before paying any fees to a landlord. Be wary of any request for an application fee higher than $20, as this is a clear sign of a potential scam targeting your housing budget.
Further reading
Find more tips on safe house hunting in our Apartments section.
More information
Report suspected rental fraud directly through the New York Attorney General complaint page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WHEC.
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