illegal broker fee?

However, when I was told by the broker that I got the apartment,
they told me that in order for them to allow me to sign the lease,
I would have to pay them a broker fee. They said it was because
I was unable to pay extra security to the landlord, that the landlord told them they’d have to collect their own fee from me.

I agreed to pay them in installments. So far I’ve given them $250. They asked me for a total of $1300. I am late paying, so they call me about three times a day, they called my employer, and emailed me a nasty email.

Leading up to getting the apartment, they also lied to me about dates, so by the time I found out I had gotten it, I had to run around and find movers that were available on such short notice.

They had me go “notarize” that I owed them $1300, before having me sign the lease.

They seem to be trying to intimidate me. I never told them I wouldn’t pay it – I just asked them for more time, since the move (on such short notice) cost me much more then expected.

I was talking to someone who suggested this situation sounded illegal. :no:
Does anyone know?

Thanks!