Gardaí warn Kilkenny students about rise in accommodation fraud

Gardaí have warned Kilkenny students to be cautious of fraudulent accommodation notices as the search for a place to stay ahead of the new third level academic term begins.

Doing your research, using trusted money transfer systems and meeting the landlord for a viewing of the property are amongst the tips Gardaí are offering. 

Students are asked to be 'weary' of rent notices that are only advertised through social media, incidents where the landlord will only communicate via WhatsApp/Messenger or when immediate payment is being demanded.

Gardaí are also urging students to never give personal, financial or security information to persons who are unknown to them and to insist on a payment receipt and a tenancy agreement.

Garda stations in Co Kilkenny and across the country deal with accommodation fraud on an annual basis. In July 2023, Gardaí received a number of complaints from renters who corresponded with bogus advertisers.

- A 25-year-old female responded to an advertisement regarding an apartment for rent. The woman was given details of a Revolut account over email and she transferred €1,200 as the first month’s payment and deposit. No keys were provided for the apartment.

- A 20-year-old female transferred €7,400 to a landlord in the Netherlands for accommodation. When she went to the Netherlands to obtain keys of the rented property, the landlord failed to meet her, ignored her phone calls and ultimately blocked her phone number. She subsequently learned the property was never up for rent. 

According to a Garda spokesperson, over 50% of victims of accommodation fraud are aged under 25, approximately 55% of victims are female with 33% of cases reported between August and September each year.

Kilkenny students attending college away from home for the first time can avail of on-site accommodation in most third level institutes, while further details of off-site locations are also listed on your chosen university's website. 

For further Garda information on fraud prevention, visit: www.garda.ie