Finding accommodation in Rome ..

I am moving to Rome in January and I'm finding it incredibly hard to look for housing. Every person I have contacted so far has turned out to be a scammer (ie the same apartment is being offered by lots of different people at different prices). Is it at all possible to find accommodation in advance, or should I just live in a hotel in the beginning and look from there? I dont really like paying agency fees, but is this a better way of doing it? Any recommendations for good agencies that can be trusted?
Thanks!