Gardaí warn of increase in student accommodation scams

Gardaí are warning college students to be aware of rental scams with a 30% increase in accommodation fraud this year compared to 2019.

They say around half of the incidents happen in Dublin with €1300 being the median amount stolen.

Over €290,000 was taken during February to July this year, an increase on the €250,000 stolen during the same time in 2019.

Gardaí say red flags include when the landlord isn’t able to show the property in person and communication is only through text or Whatsapp.