From handshake deals to digital pat-downs, the rental market is filled with great opportunities (that is, for scammers). Our very own producer, Andrew Steven recently got some first-hand experience when he and his partner tried to find a new place. 

We talked to real estate professionals–one rents a cottage, another has a slightly bigger portfolio of places, and then we called the head of residential rentals at Two Trees (one of the bigger real estate companies in New York City) and *then* Beau even grilled Adam, who used to play the spy on shady tenant deals back in the day—all this to get a feel for why real estate is such a scam-rich environment, and then maybe figure out what sort of advice we can give you to avoid getting got. 

The Tinfoil Swan stays on topic. Can you tell we hate real estate scams?

“What the Hack with Adam Levin” is available wherever you get your podcasts. If you like it, consider rating us on your favorite podcast service or writing a review. It really helps people find the show.

Adam Levin is the former Director of Consumer Affairs for the State of New Jersey, serial entrepreneur and author of Swiped, which he wrote with his sidekick, writer and cyber mensch, Beau Friedlander. With expert commentary from Travis “Here’s What Actually Happened” Taylor, the show gets everything sorted out—or not—but either way you’re going to have a great time. Something weird happen to you? We’ve got your back.

What the Hack with Adam Levin is a production of Loud Tree Media and is executive produced by Adam Levin and Beau Friedlander and produced by Andrew Steven and Travis Taylor.