Scammers preying on rental crisis through social media
Vulnerable Western Australians are being robbed of thousands of dollars while looking for new homes as opportunistic scammers prey on the rental crisis.
Steve Castle thought he'd finally found the home he'd been desperately searching for - but the reality was crushing.
"It all looked real, same as all these other houses on Facebook," he said.
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Steve Castle found a rental property on Facebook marketplace. 9News
The 60-year-old father found a South Perth home on Facebook Marketplace last month.
Castle messaged a woman who claimed to be a real estate agent and he transferred her $2000 for six weeks' rent - but he never received the keys.
"Too good to be true," he said.
Consumer Protection Commissioner Trish Blake said con artists are capitalising on the rental crisis through social media.
"They'll take a photo from a legitimate listing and they'll post it onto a different site but with their own details and then they'll come up with all sorts of excuses why not to be there and show you the property," Blake said.
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He paid rent in advance but never received the keys. 9News
Consumer Protection received 64 reports of rental scams last year for a loss of more than $63,000.
In just the first three months this year, 19 people have been scammed out of $38,000.
"They are preying on much more vulnerable people in our community because these are people desperate to get a house," Blake said.
It isn't just prospective renters being scammed out of thousands of dollars and the safety of a secure home - realtors are also being caught out.
Hopeful renters called Rebecca Gulvin about her Yokine unit after scammers copied her listing onto Facebook.
"I felt dreadful for her, I couldn't help her," Gulvin said.
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The state's consumer watchdog said rental scams are on the rise. 9News
If you're being asked to pay more than four weeks rent for bond and two weeks in advance, Consumer Protection says that's illegal and it's possible you're being scammed.
Castle had one bit of advice.
"All I can say is go through the real estate," he said.
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