Realtors warn of ‘housefishing’ scams
Realtors warn of ‘housefishing’ scams
Publish Date: 2026-03-20 17:26:00
Source Domain: www.wnep.com
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Emergence of ‘Housefishing’ Scam: A new real estate scam called ‘housefishing’ involves altering property listing photos using artificial intelligence to hide flaws or enhance the appearance of a property.
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Caution from the Pocono Mountains Association of Realtors: Officials are warning homebuyers of the deceptive practice, noting that the altered photos can misrepresent structural issues and add non-existent features like porches.
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Ease of AI Manipulation: Tiffanie Bailey-Romey, President of the Pocono Association of Realtors, demonstrated how easily AI can manipulate property photos, urging the use of licensed realtors to protect buyers.
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Signs to Watch for: Buyers should look out for suspiciously perfect landscaping, unusually green grass, and prices that seem too good to be true, which may indicate altered listings.
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Transparency is Key: Experts advise that artificial intelligence should be clearly disclosed when used in real estate. Listings should transparently show both current and potential future conditions with AI enhancements.
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Importance of In-Person Viewing: It is recommended to always arrange an in-person showing before finalizing a property purchase to avoid falling victim to deceptive listings.
