There is an accommodation shortage, the scramble for accommodation will only intensify. Returning and postgraduate students are also looking and so there will be scammers seeking to exploit the situation.
Here’s a thread of some things to catch out for:
- SCAMMERS MESSAGE YOU FIRST
Scammers look through social media posts and send out unsolicited messages to members of accommodation groups/send DMs to those posting about accommodation. Sometimes they begin innocuously, for example: ‘Do you still need the room?’
- SCAMMERS WANT MONEY SOON
Scammers are always in a rush to be paid for the first month and the deposit. They’ll highlight there are many people interested and you need to make a payment immediately to secure the accommodation.
- SCAMMERS ARE ALWAYS OUT OF TOWN
Scammers almost always say they are not in Dublin (or Cork or Limerick). For example they are in London, Berlin, or Paris for work. They’ll use this as the excuse for why they can’t show you the place in person.
- SCAMMERS NEVER SHOW YOU AN APARTMENT
Scammers will come up with different reasons why you cannot view the apartment. They are out of town, or have an appointment. They may say you can go and see the building from the outside and then let them know.
- SCAMMERS WANT YOU TO TRANSFER MONEY TO AN INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNT
Scammers want you to wire money or make a bank transfer to an account in another country. Sometimes they will claim that it’s their lawyer’s/family member’s account. This makes it much more difficult to recoup any monies lost.
- SCAMMERS GET ANNOYED EASILY
Be suspicious if they don’t want to answer too many questions, give vague answers and get frustrated when you ask for more information.
Finally: Remember if an offer seems too good to be true it probably is.
NEVER transfer money without seeing an apartment in person.
In order to scam you, there are a number of methods that can be used. Especially when there is popularity for investment properties it pays to know about how these tricks work.
The trickster utilizes the photographs and subtleties from a certifiable investment property and makes a posting with their email and telephone number. They will have a justification for not having the option to meet you to show you the property like work responsibilities or being out of the country. They will request that you pay the store and first month’s lease forthright and may send you extra photographs and, surprisingly, a bunch of phony keys to make it really persuading.
The trickster leases a home and afterward promotes it as accessible to lease. They show expected occupants around while they live there. They will again request reserves forthright and may give you a bunch of phony keys however when you show up to move in the keys don’t work and the trickster has vanished. They could do this to various individuals.
As well as defrauding you out of your cash they might request that you present a duplicate of your ID or confirmation of address as a feature of the application interaction. They can then utilize these to complete further character extortion.
Who to contact
It is important to contact your bank immediately if you think you have been a victim of fraud or scam and have given someone your bank or credit card information. Your bank can then advise you and, if necessary, hold your account, cancel your cards, or take additional steps to protect your account when making payments and transfers. Additionally, you should contact the local Garda station.
It is important to report fake listings on property or booking websites immediately so they may be removed.
If you, your family or friends have experienced scams, please let us know, as spreading awareness about scams is the best way to prevent them. Scams in other parts of Europe should be reported to the European Consumer Centre Ireland.
More information on the Threshold Ireland website https://lnkd.in/eFpjzC5r
You can also consult Scamwatch – an initiative of housing charity, Threshold, and property website, Daft.ie. This also provides great advice on how to avoid becoming a victim of rental accommodation scams.
Here are a few tips to all prospective students moving abroad. Visawebs helps all its students in finding an accommodation in Ireland. Our aim is to protect students from falling prey to petty scams seen in Ireland especially for accommodation. Please reach out to our expert team at info@visawebs.com if you have any queries.
www.daft.ie,www.rent.ie,www.homestay.com,www.collegecribs.ie, RTB Checklist for Students Renting for the First Time,Threshold guide to renting for students