I am new to the city and applying for an apartment. A licensed broker sent me a PDF application asking for my Social Security Number and requested a $20 application fee via Venmo, rather than through a portal. Is it normal and safe to pay an application fee via Venmo and provide my SSN on a PDF?
New York law strictly caps rental application fees at $20, and you should not send untraceable payments or sensitive information before verifying the listing.
You did the right thing by pausing before sending your Social Security number and money. New York gives you specific rights to limit these fees and protect your identity.
**Is it normal and safe to pay an application fee via Venmo?** There is no specific rule listed for Venmo itself. However, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns that demanding cash-like money transfers before you sign a lease or see the apartment is a sign of a scam. Once you send money this way, you probably cannot get it back.
**Is it normal and safe to provide my SSN on a PDF?** There is no specific safety rule listed for using a PDF. However, you do not have to expose your Social Security number to the broker. You can provide your own background check instead. This keeps your information private and legally waives the fee.
