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Lawmakers hear victims’ accounts as Maryland weighs online‑listing verification to curb rental scams
Summary
After multiple victim testimonies, the committee considered HB1456 requiring platforms to verify that a rental listing poster is authorized to advertise the property; supporters said a verification requirement could prevent scams, while realtors warned about technical complexity for MLS feeds and third‑party distribution.
Delegate Eric Embry (presenting HB1456) told the committee the bill aims to prevent rental‑listing scams by requiring platforms that host property advertisements to verify that the poster is authorized to list the Maryland property and to retain verification evidence. "This is about preventing a problem at a systems level," Embry said, describing online fraud where renters pay deposits and later discover the listing was fake.
Legal aid and tenant advocates…
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