Gardaí Appeal To Students As Accommodation Fraud Is Up 30% On Pre- Pandemic Levels

Wednesday, 31 August 2022 09:26

By Caoimhe Harney

Gardaí warn that 1 in 2 victims are under the age of 25.

New figures show accommodation fraud is up 30% on pre-pandemic levels.

As the new term begins, Gardaí are appealing to students to be cautious, particularly those moving to Dublin - where about half of accommodation scams take place.

As the beginning of term looms, students are often left vulnerable to accommodation fraud.

Gardaí warn that these scams are up 30% on pre-pandemic levels with 1 in 2 victims being under the age of 25.

Some 50% of cases occur in Dublin with thirteen hundred euro the median amount stolen.

Gardaí are advising house hunters to only use trusted landlords or letting agencies, to never deal in cash and to never agree to renting a property without first viewing it in person.

Officers also say foreign based landlords or those who only contact you through social media are other signs of a potential fraudster.

So far this year €291,000 has been stolen through accommodation fraud, compared to €250,000 in 2019.

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