watch out for scammers when looking for rental properties.

[RobynMargarat]

I just read this article on our PerthNow website and feel those of you who are looking for rentals should read
and absorb
potential renters are being warned of an online scam that could cost them thousands of dollars.
scammer`s have begun targeting potential tenants and victims are losing out big time. It seems to good to be trtue, a luxury home, in a great location, for a fraction of the market cost. Consumer Protection Industry and consumer services
Director Dave Hillyard has warned potential renters that the scam is real (It was on Channel 9 news)
You are being conned, its a professional con, a real scam that is on going. A perth resident Ms Thompson was one
potential tenant conned out of $600,
The scam is quite simple, using popular websites such as Gumtree and Flatmates.com. Posing as landlords, the scammers
say you can`t meet with them to view the property. usually because they re overseas, but demand a payment to secure the rental. *People are spending good money on these things, and yet what we have`nt done is see the property, have`nt inspected it, and we have`nt met anyone*. Mr Hillyard said Once the money is sent out of Australia by wire transfer the trail usually goes cold. The scam is particularly efficient in today`s tight rental market.
In desperation, a lot of would be tenants are prepared to hand over money without seeing the property. Last year, 220 people were scammed with almost $40,000 sent to over seas bank accounts. The latest version was an overseas student
who had just arrived in Australia. This week she handed over $4,000 trying to rent an apartment in East Perth.
Last year also, on the news, there was a scam which sold peoples property with out them knowing anything about it, especially if they were over seas. But be warned, Nigerians usually get the blame, anyone asks you to send money
via Western Union that is usually a scam, as we do not have Western-Union in Australia. They did actually arrest a few of those nationalities and deported them..
Consumer protection says tenants should always meet with the landlord face to face, dont rely on photographs, and view the inside of the property as well, before paying anything.
for more information visit www.commerce.wa.gov/consumerprotection

[Lesandkev]

[QUOTE=RobynMargarat;28229]I just read this article on our PerthNow website and feel those of you who are looking for rentals should read
and absorb
potential renters are being warned of an online scam that could cost them thousands of dollars.
scammer`s have begun targeting potential tenants and victims are losing out big time. It seems to good to be trtue, a luxury home, in a great location, for a fraction of the market cost. Consumer Protection Industry and consumer services
Director Dave Hillyard has warned potential renters that the scam is real (It was on Channel 9 news)
You are being conned, its a professional con, a real scam that is on going. A perth resident Ms Thompson was one
potential tenant conned out of $600,
The scam is quite simple, using popular websites such as Gumtree and Flatmates.com. Posing as landlords, the scammers
say you can`t meet with them to view the property. usually because they re overseas, but demand a payment to secure the rental. *People are spending good money on these things, and yet what we have`nt done is see the property, have`nt inspected it, and we have`nt met anyone*. Mr Hillyard said Once the money is sent out of Australia by wire transfer the trail usually goes cold. The scam is particularly efficient in today`s tight rental market.
In desperation, a lot of would be tenants are prepared to hand over money without seeing the property. Last year, 220 people were scammed with almost $40,000 sent to over seas bank accounts. The latest version was an overseas student
who had just arrived in Australia. This week she handed over $4,000 trying to rent an apartment in East Perth.
Last year also, on the news, there was a scam which sold peoples property with out them knowing anything about it, especially if they were over seas. But be warned, Nigerians usually get the blame, anyone asks you to send money
via Western Union that is usually a scam, as we do not have Western-Union in Australia. They did actually arrest a few of those nationalities and deported them..
Consumer protection says tenants should always meet with the landlord face to face, dont rely on photographs, and view the inside of the property as well, before paying anything.
for more information visit www.commerce.wa.gov/consumerprotection[/QUOTe


Thank u so much for this post, im looking for a holiday rental for when we emigrate in july and would be devestated if i was scammed x x

[JaynBev]

Les n Kev - try ozhouserental, Tracey has sorted out many people on here for short term rentals including us & is brilliant at keeping you updated on options / progress.

The problem comes when you want to leave & find a long term rental!!

[Give me a break!]

Im a bit confused my OH's Mothers sends our son his Birthday and Christmas money by Western Union we pick it up from the Post Office.

[Lesandkev]

Les n Kev - try ozhouserental, Tracey has sorted out many people on here for short term rentals including us & is brilliant at keeping you updated on options / progress.

The problem comes when you want to leave & find a long term rental!!

Yeah ive been recommended tracey from a few people, think she might have one for us.

Is it a nightmare getting an unfurnished long term rental? I was only wanting to rent furnished for a few weeks as we were hoping to get a long term rental quite soon, is that unrealistic?

[Hassan]

Hi JaynBev;

Did you find your long term one?Would you please share your experience?Any suggestions and recommendations regarding finding long term rental?

Thanks.

Les n Kev - try ozhouserental, Tracey has sorted out many people on here for short term rentals including us & is brilliant at keeping you updated on options / progress.

The problem comes when you want to leave & find a long term rental!!

[lynnrob]

Does anyone know whether this online scam applies to temporary accomodation booked through migration type websites. We are trying to rent somewhere for 2 months and have been asked for the whole 2 months rent upfront 28 days before arrival. The website seems geniune but would be uncomfortable sending this amount in advance. However,dont want to miss out on a property. Anybody had experience with temporary accomodation booking other than through ozhouserentals who don't have anything suitable as we want somewhere up near Hillarys?

[Pathfinder]

"Im a bit confused my OH's Mothers sends our son his Birthday and Christmas money by Western Union we pick it up from the Post Office. "


Western Union are money transfer operators here in Britain and some other countries. Funds can be wired to other recognised agents abroad, like the Post office. We once sent some money abroad to a car rental company "Avis" I think?, so my son could pick it up from there when he run out of money in Cyprus.

With Western Union you complete a form to state the sort code and bank account you want to send the funds to, Western Union are supposed to ask you if you know the Beneficiary a/c's to prevent Fraud as they are well aware of this type of scam.

There are warnings on Gum Tree.