Gardaí are warning students to be aware of rental accommodation scams ahead of the new college term.
The FraudSMART campaign is being supported by the Union of Students in Ireland and the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland.
Fraudsters renting out holiday or short-terms lets, taking deposits from multiple potential tenants and disappearing with the money, is the most common scam seen by gardaí.
The re-advertising of available rentals where fraudsters attach their own details, but refuse to let people see the property before payments is another common scam.
Gardaí warn that if the rent seems too good to be true it probably is.
They advise viewing the property, meeting the landlord and making sure they are registered with the Residential Tenancies Board.
They have also said to check online maps and listings to see that the property actually exists and is not being advertised elsewhere.
Keeping all documents, using well-known agencies and paying by cheque and bank draft is also advised.
The main message, they urge, is not to hand over any money until a lease is signed and checking the key works.
They have also said that if somebody is scammed they should report it to gardaí.
They are also encouraging parents and friends, particularly of younger students, to assist them with the process.
USI President Lorna Fitzpatrick said students needs to be aware that there are people taking advantage of students vulnerability when it comes to the housing crisis and accommodation shortage.
Rental Scam Awareness Advice - Caution is advised, if the rent sounds too good to be true.
— Garda Info (@gardainfo) July 25, 2019
Gardaí are advising people to be wary of rental scams, particularly at this time of year when students are returning to college.https://t.co/sPCmKCeCpN pic.twitter.com/fDkw4Dwfhl
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Ms Fitzgerald said the most common rental scam is in terms of deposits and the problem is exacerbated by the housing crisis.
"It's something we've seen more so, since the student accommodation crisis has really taken off. And I suppose people are trying to take advantage of the vulnerabilities of students and their families in that regard," she said.
