SAN FRANCISCO — The already cutthroat rental market in San Francisco is facing a new scheme: scammers are stealing real estate agents' apartment tour videos, editing the rent to "unimaginable" levels, and posting them on TikTok and Instagram to lure renters into transferring security deposits. According to SFGate, these individuals take original tour videos directly from agents' social media profiles and repost them at prices far below market value. One TikTok account named “Budget Friendly Homes” (for_rent_sanfrancisco) once attracted nearly 12,000 followers by advertising a one-bedroom apartment near Alamo Square for just $1,800 per month. The account has since been removed. Beyond just copying videos, these scammers also impersonate agents by using their real names, headshots, and even professional license numbers. When renters make contact, they demand deposit payments or application fees before “showing the unit,” and then disappear. Dave Chesnosky, a local agent, noted that these situations typically surge when the market heats up, supply is scarce, and rent prices soar. Marsha Abrahams, an agent with Sotheby’s International Realty in the Bay Area, was forced to post a warning on Instagram after discovering a fake account using her name to advertise luxury apartments at unusually low prices. She clarified that she does not advertise rentals via TikTok, WhatsApp, or text message. Another agent, Nick Abraham (Compass Realty), only realized he was being impersonated when a stranger messaged him to ask if he had received a security deposit. He said the scammers used his actual photo and license number, even creating a fake email address with a misspelled version of his name. Experts emphasize the most important rule when renting: do not transfer money until you have viewed the apartment in person. Simply requesting an in-person tour will often cause many scams to fall apart. Authorities advise the public to be cautious of listings with prices significantly lower than the market average and to verify agent information through official channels before making any transactions.

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