Gardaí in Donegal are urging students to watch out for rental scams as demand rises for accommodation.
The advice is to watch out for fake contracts, fake keys, and prices that are too good to be true.
Students arriving back or starting at the ATU campus in Letterkenny this September are already facing a shortage of places to rent in the town.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said that Gardaí have reported a 65% increase in accommodation scams since 2019.
It warned students to be careful not to fall victim to any type of fraud attempts:
- Students seeking somewhere to live may even be sent a false contract to sign or fake keys to make a scam appear more convincing.
- Students are advised to research rental prices in the area in which they are looking and to be wary if the price seems too cheap. If it sounds too good to be true then it usually is!
- Never agree to rent a property without having seen it first in person. Never use cash to pay the deposit. Do not make any payments until you have been given the written lease and until you have ensured that the key fits the door.
A garda spokesperson said: “Should you fall victim to a rental scam or to any type of scam, please alert your bank immediately. Also report the matter to Gardaí. If you have already transferred money online or if you think that your financial details have been compromised then time is of the essence so please do not delay in making your report.”
Visit www.fraudsmart.ie for further information and advice.
