Beware Of Online Rental Scams

Uploaded on 2024-09-02 in NEWS-Cybersecurity News, FREE TO VIEW

People looking to rent a property are being warned about the dangers of rental scams. Rental scams typically involve a criminal posing as a landlord or property manager to make potential renters pay money for a property that isn’t available, doesn’t exist, or isn’t theirs to rent out.

The average rental scam victim in the UK loses £1,400. College and university students are often targeted ahead of the new term. These fake lettings in local accommodation take advantage of the huge demand.

Rental scams usually involve a criminal posing as a landlord or property manager. They make potential renters pay money for a property that isn't available, doesn't exist, or isn't theirs to rent out. These scams can occur in various ways.

These scams can occur in various ways.

Phantom Rentals: Listings for properties that don’t exist or aren’t for rent. Criminals pull you in with attractive photos and great deals.

Hijacked Ads: Criminals copy legitimate rental ads and change the contact details, directing inquiries to themselves instead of the rightful owner.

Bait-and-Switch: The property advertised is unavailable, but the criminal offers a different, often inferior, property.

Watch out for these common Warning Signs:

  • Low rent, if the rent is lower than other properties in the area, be cautious.
  • Upfront payments, be wary of landlords who ask for money upfront. Make sure you see the property first. Some landlords may ask for payment via a bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards.
  • No in-person meetings, criminals often avoid face-to-face meetings. If the "landlord" is unable or unwilling to meet you in person or show you the property, this is a warning sign
  • High pressure tactics, criminals may pressure you to act fast. They claim there are other interested people or that the offer is available for a limited time only.
  • Incomplete or vague information, legitimate listings provide detailed information. Be suspicious of ads with limited photos, vague descriptions, or typos and errors. If it's an agent, they must belong to a redress scheme.

The impact of rental fraud can be severe, both emotionally and financially. By taking simple steps such as visiting the property you intend to rent. Checking that the owner is on an approved accommodation list. You will be able to protect yourself from this type of fraud.

Always be aware when looking to rent a room or property to ensure you are protected from being a Victim of Renting scams in order to protect yourself follow this important  advice.  

University students will be looking for properties to rent for September properties and rooms to rent as we are aware are in high demand with limited properties available please follow our advice, take care when entering into an agreement to rent a room or property, ensure the room is available as advertised and you meet the Landlord in person before paying any deposits.  

If you have been a UK victim of this fraud and lost money, please contact Action Fraud at:  https://www.actionfraud.police.uk or call them on 0300 123 2040.

Surrey Gov     |     Staffordshire Gov     |     NRLA     |   ThamesVAlleyAlert     |   Wrexham Gov

Image; Unsplash

You Might Also Read:

Online Fraud - Police Agencies Recover Stolen $Millions:

If you like this website and use the comprehensive 7,000-plus service supplier Directory, you can get unrestricted access, including the exclusive in-depth Directors Report series, by signing up for a Premium Subscription.

  • Individual £5 per month or £50 per year. Sign Up
  • Multi-User, Corporate & Library Accounts Available on Request

Cyber Security Intelligence: Captured Organised & Accessible

 

« Global AI Safety: Scientists Can Move The Needle
Hackers Attack Russia & Belarus »

Infosecurity Europe
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81
Cyrin

Real Attacks. Real Tools. Real Scenarios.
Schedule a demo

Sign Up: Cyber Security Intelligence Newsletter

Directory of Suppliers

Practice Labs

Practice Labs

Practice Labs is an IT competency hub, where live-lab environments give access to real equipment for hands-on practice of essential cybersecurity skills.

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout enables cyber security professionals to reduce cyber risk to their organization with proactive security solutions, providing immediate improvement in security posture and ROI.

CYRIN

CYRIN

CYRIN® Cyber Range. Real Tools, Real Attacks, Real Scenarios. See why leading educational institutions and companies in the U.S. have begun to adopt the CYRIN® system.

Directory of Cyber Security Suppliers

Directory of Cyber Security Suppliers

Our Supplier Directory lists 7,000+ specialist cyber security service providers in 128 countries worldwide. IS YOUR ORGANISATION LISTED?

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

Malware.lu

Malware.lu

Malware.lu is a repository of malware and technical analysis. The goal of the project is to provide samples and technical analysis to security researchers.

Biscom

Biscom

Biscom offers solutions for secure file transfer, synchronization, file translation, and mobile devices, designed to deliver mission-critical reliability, streamline workflows and reduce costs.

RPC

RPC

RPC is a business law firm. Practice areas include technology and cyber risk.

Seagate Technology

Seagate Technology

Seagate data storage systems are purpose-built for enterprise and data centre performance, scalability, reliability and security.

Genie Networks

Genie Networks

Genie Networks is a leading technology company providing networking and security solutions for optimizing the performance of large networks.

Wooxo

Wooxo

Wooxo provides business security and continuity solutions to protect business data for organisation of all sizes.

Samsung Knox

Samsung Knox

Samsung Knox brings multi-layered defence-grade security to your business’s smartphones and tablets.

Brainloop

Brainloop

Brainloop's security architecture enables you to work on and distribute strictly confidential documents both within and beyond the firewall.

Accertify

Accertify

Accertify is a leading provider of fraud prevention, chargeback management, and payment gateway solutions.

VXRL

VXRL

VXRL is a Hong Kong-based cybersecurity company. We provide consulting services, penetration testing, and corporate training.

SOCOTEC Certification International

SOCOTEC Certification International

SOCOTEC Certification International has been providing management systems assessment and accredited ISO certification services to organisations around the world since 1995.

Take Five

Take Five

Take Five is a national campaign offering straight-forward, impartial advice that helps prevent email, phone-based and online fraud – particularly where criminals impersonate trusted organisations.

OwnBackup

OwnBackup

OwnBackup proactively prevents you from losing mission-critical data and metadata with automated backups and rapid, stress-free recovery.

Identity Management Institute (IMI)

Identity Management Institute (IMI)

Identity Management Institute (IMI) provides professional training and certification in cyber security with a focus on identity and access management, identity theft, and data protection.

Surefire Cyber

Surefire Cyber

Surefire Cyber delivers swift, strong response to cyber incidents such as ransomware, email compromise, malware, data theft, and other threats with end-to-end response capabilities.

Boecore

Boecore

Boecore is an aerospace and defense engineering company that specializes in software solutions, systems engineering, cybersecurity, enterprise networks, and mission operations.