Rental fraud targeting desperate tenants on social media

Fraudsters are targeting renters looking for affordable housing through social media and listing sites.

Scammers exploit rental crisis to defraud desperate tenants

Many people searching for rental homes are falling victim to fraud. Scammers pose as landlords, advertising affordable properties and pressuring potential tenants to pay deposits without ever seeing the place. The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau reported that in the past year, young people made up three-quarters of rental fraud cases, with nearly £9 million lost across about 5,000 incidents. Recently, a family reported losing £2,000 after being shown a fake property on Gumtree. Experts suggest people conduct thorough checks and never pay deposits without viewing the property first.

The rise in rental fraud highlights the growing pressures in a tight housing market. As decent rentals become scarce and expensive, scammers seem to exploit the desperation of potential tenants. Social media platforms and listing websites provide easy access for fraudsters, making the situation even more concerning. Increased awareness is essential as more people resort to online sources to find homes. It raises critical questions about the responsibility of these platforms in ensuring user safety.

Highlights

This growing issue requires better protection for renters.