Third-level students have been urged to be aware of rental scams as they scramble for accommodation ahead of the new term.
More than 250,000 students are expected to attend a third-level college around the country this year, with over 100,000 living in the private rental market.
Due to a shortage of rental accommodation, students can feel under pressure to hand over a deposit quickly, without fully checking whether the accommodation on offer is genuine.
National housing charity Threshold has partnered with the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) and the Union of Students Ireland (USI) as part of its annual ‘Scamwatch’ campaign to raise awareness around ever-more elaborate fraudulent scams.
Daniel (not his real name) contacted Threshold regarding a possible scam while attempting to secure a room in a property he had seen advertised online. He dealt with a management company via email, who requested a large holding deposit. The ‘agent’ requested full bank card details for deposit payment, including the CVC number. Daniel became suspicious, having never had an agent or landlord request a holding deposit before even viewing the property. He got in touch with a Threshold advisor to ask for guidance. Meanwhile, he told the agent he wouldn’t pay, but that he was still interested in the property. They then invited him to a viewing which he attended alongside many others.
Emails from the company appeared legitimate, including the tenancy agreement that was sent to Daniel, however the physical address of the company – which was provided to him – did not match that registered online. The company website provided no information and was empty of content. Additionally, company bank details were provided but the agent would not disclose the named person on the bank account. Based on these suspicions and after speaking to Threshold, Daniel decided not to pursue the property. Threshold advised him to report the advert to Daft.ie and to the Gardaí.
Threshold is urging students to contact them if they are suspicious of an advert for rental accommodation or if they are worried that they may be scammed.
Threshold campaigns officer Cat Clark said: “We continue to see students come to us with queries relating to scams, and thankfully, our advisors have managed to prevent a number of clients avoid scams, saving them significant financial loss.”
There are several checks Threshold can make if someone is worried that a potential rental accommodation is a scam such as checking the Residential Tenancies Board register of tenancies as well as make an assessment based on the details they are provided by the caller.
She said some scams are highly sophisticated, but generally, if something sounds suspicious or too good to be true, it is most likely a scam.
Threshold’s helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am-9pm at 1800 454 454, with webchat at www.threshold.ie/get-help/ for any renter in need of advice or support.
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