Gardaí issue student accommodation scam warning

Average amount stolen from people caught up in scams is around €1300.

There has been an increase of 30% in accommodation fraud in 2022, in comparison with 2019, gardaí have reported.

Advising people to be wary of rental scams, particularly at this time of year with students returning to college, Detective Superintendent Michael Cryan of the Gardaí National Economic Crime Bureau advised: “You should only use recognised letting agencies or deal with people who are bona fida and trusted. Websites can be cloned, check the URL to ensure it’s a real website and take note of the privacy and refund policy sections.”

The average amount stolen from people caught up in student accommodation scams is around €1300.

Approximately half (50%) of all incidents are occurring in Dublin, and gardaí stated that the return to college timeframe (August- October) often shows a spike in such fraud.

There has been a more than 50% increase in victims of accommodation fraud aged under 25 in 2022, with €291,452 stolen to date in 2022 compared to almost €250,000 in 2019.

“Be very wary of social media advertisements or where a person letting the location will only communicate via messenger or Whatsapp,” continued Det Supt Cryan. “You should push for direct answers and if responses are vague disengage immediately.”

The authorities are urging people to “watch out” for unsolicited contacts or where the contact appears to be based in other jurisdictions and especially if there is a sense of urgency like ‘a one-time offer’.

“If you have decided to take up the offer only use trusted money transfer systems, An Garda Síochána would recommend using a credit card. Never transfer money direct, pay cash, pay into cryptocurrency wallets.

“Be wary if a website is asking you to send money to a random PayPal address or asking you to wire it by Western Union or pay in iTunes gift cards or ask you to pay for long-term rental accommodation via a short-term letting website or only deals in cryptocurrency. Most of the time, those methods are done to avoid scrutiny and ensure that a transaction can not be reversed.”

Red Flags/Warning Signs:

- When the landlord is unable to meet up to show you the property in person.

- When communication is only through Text / WhatsApp or other social media platform.

- When the property is offered with no questions asked and payment demanded immediately before signing the lease.

- When you are asked to pay cash, cryptocurrency or money via a non-bank transfer (such as wire transfer)