Thousands of renters scammed into paying fraudsters upfront fees for properties that don’t even exist
More than 18,000 renters were conned into handing over their cash to fraudsters thinking they were securing a place to live
THOUSANDS of tenants are falling each year for scammers who trick you into paying a deposit for properties that don't exist.
Between April 2014 and March 2018, 18,645 renters were conned into handing over their cash to fraudsters thinking they were securing a place to live, according to Action Fraud.
On average, victims lost £1,396 to scammers when it turned out that in reality the properties didn't exists, were already rented out or has been rented out to multiple people who've also been conned.
Victims are then hit twice as hard because they've lost the money and they don't have anywhere to live.
In 429 cases, victims lost more than £5,000, while 930 of the reports were related to university accommodation.
Students are particularly vulnerable especially between July and August where Action Fraud see a spike in reports.
How to protect yourself from rental fraud
HERE's some advice from Action Fraud you should follow to avoid falling victim to rental fraud:
- Visit the property before you pay – Watch-out for adverts without photos, or where multiple adverts have the same photos as they could be fake. Don't pay any money until you've visited the property with an agent or the landlord.
- Be cautious about how you send money – The safest way to make a payment is by a credit card in person at the letting agent’s office. Be skeptical if you’re asked to transfer money via a money transfer service.
- Don’t be pressured into transferring large sums of money – Under no circumstances would a genuine bank or another trusted organisation force you to make a financial transaction on the spot.
- Check that the owner is on an approved accommodation list – Check with your student union or accommodation office as many universities and colleges will have an approved housing list. Also look for accreditation membership such as National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS), Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA).
If you think you have been a victim of rental fraud, contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or .
It's the time of year when students are looking for a place to live during term time in the lead up to the start of the academic year.
Landlords often demand fees and a deposit paid up front, even if the student has only seen the room advertised online.
Fraudsters will often contact their victims online with adverts that seem genuine, will photos and contact information.
Have you been a victim of rental fraud? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 78 24516.
In some cases, victims were able to view the property in person but when it came to moving in they found out they had been scammed.
Pauline Smith from Action Fraud said: "The impact of rental fraud can be severe, both emotionally and financially.
"By taking simple steps such as visiting the property you intend to rent or checking that the owner is on an approved accommodation list, you will be able to protect yourself from this type of fraud."
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