Saw a no-fee listing on StreetEasy for a junior one-bed near Ditmars. The listing agent responded within an hour, but then sent a Google Form link and said she needs my full name, phone, email, current address, photo ID (front and back), and the last four of my SSN before she’ll even schedule a showing. Not an application — just a viewing.

I’ve rented in the city for over a decade. I’m used to showing ID at a building or filling out an application after seeing the place. I have never had an agent ask for SSN digits just to open the door. Is this becoming normal with no-fee listings? Is there any legitimate reason to collect last four before a tour?

It sets off alarm bells because the form has no privacy policy, no brokerage confirmation, and the agent’s number is a 917 cell rather than the office line. I don’t want to miss the place — it’s exactly the line I want — but I also don’t want my identity walked into an empty apartment.

For people who’ve seen this: did you push back? Did you offer to bring ID in person? How did the agent react? Any red flags I’m not seeing?

Wait, I just filled out something exactly like this for a showing in Bed-Stuy last week. It had ID upload and last four SSN too. I didn’t think much of it because they said it was a “standard prequalification.” Is that not normal? Now I’m worried. Did I just give my info away? I haven’t heard back from the agent since, but it was only one place.

Eh, ID for a viewing is one thing but last four SSN before you’ve even seen the place? Nah. I’ve toured no-fee units in Murray Hill and Kips Bay recently and the only ask was to bring ID to the showing, sometimes they snap a pic at the door. Last four SSN is application-stage stuff, usually when they run credit or background.

A broker might call it “pre-screening” but that isn’t a viewing requirement. I’d reply: Happy to bring photo ID in person. I’ll provide the last four if I apply. If they balk, you didn’t want that agent anyway. Some of these no-fee listings are bait — they collect info and then send you other units.

Quick update, and a correction for suburban_to_bk: this is not standard, and you shouldn’t keep doing it. A legitimate broker can show an apartment without last four SSN. “Prequalification” before a viewing is usually just a sales script. The only time a landlord or brokerage needs SSN digits is when you’re actually applying: credit pull, background check, or rent-stabilization verification.

I pushed back with exactly that. I told the agent I’d bring photo ID in person and would fill out an application if the apartment made sense. She backed off immediately — said “no problem” and scheduled the showing. The apartment was fine, by the way, though the shower pressure was weak and the super did not know they were listed as no-fee. The latter may have been another agent connection.

If the agent had refused, I would have called the brokerage’s main number to confirm they knew their agent was collecting SSN details on a Google Form. Always worth checking.

Had this same thing in Cobble Hill a few months back. Agent wanted a full application before a viewing because the tenant was still there and the landlord was “nervous.” I said I’m not sending SSN to a random website. They let me tour with my license. The apartment ended up being a basement with a 5-foot ceiling in the kitchen. So yeah, don’t pre-send anything. OP did it right.