Young people aged between 18 and 39 account for almost three
quarters of cases of rental fraud, according to exclusive
National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) data released by the
Home Office today.
Rental fraudsters typically target their victims by offering
access to properties that do not exist, or which are not theirs
to rent, often using fake details and photos, and usually
offering prices at well below market rate. To secure the property
or even arrange a viewing, they will usually demand a deposit or
the first month's rent, and many individuals desperate to find a
home will make the upfront payment to avoid missing out.
According to the NFIB data, the resulting fraud losses amounted
to nearly £9 million across around 5,000 reported cases last
year. The 18-29 age group accounted for 48 per cent of all
reported rental fraud cases in England, Wales, and Northern
Ireland last year, with the 30-39 age group accounting for 25 per
cent.
With many students and young workers using the Spring months to
search for new rented accommodation, Home Office ministers are
urging renters to avoid rushing into a quick decision or paying
over any money for a property before they have viewed it in
person.
And with rental fraud often taking place through properties
advertised on social media websites, the Government is also
renewing its calls for tech companies to go further and faster to
tackle fraud on their platforms ahead of convening the
next Joint Fraud Taskforce meeting later this month.
Fraud Minister said:
“Rental fraud is an utterly shameful crime, and this new data
should serve as a stark reminder that anyone can be a victim. It
doesn't matter how streetwise and tech-savvy you are, fraudsters
will get to anyone who doesn't stop and think before handing over
their money.
“That's why I am determined to root out fraud from our society,
crack down on the callous criminals behind it, and ensure that
stronger protections are put in place by the tech companies on
whose platforms much of this fraud takes place.
“The Home Office will be making progress on all of those issues
through the next phase of our Stop! Think Fraud campaign, and the
new, expanded fraud strategy we are developing this year as part
of this Government's Plan for Change.”
Oliver Shaw, Commander for Fraud and Cybercrime, City of
London Police, said:
“Young people are disproportionally targeted by criminals whilst
they look for new accommodation or housing opportunities. This
can result not only in a devastating financial loss but can also
lead to a negative impact on their mental health. The data from
the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau highlights clearly how
much of a critical issue this is in affecting 18-29 year olds.
“That's why we, as the national lead force for fraud, continue to
support the Stop! Think Fraudcampaign's ongoing efforts
to raise awareness of this vital issue. And we continue to work
to highlight emerging cybercrime and fraud types that could be a
threat, understanding the importance of reporting, and advocating
ways the public can prevent themselves from becoming victims of
fraud.”
The new figures are published on the same day as the National
Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – part of GCHQ – launches the second
phase of a nationwide campaign encouraging individuals and small
businesses to set-up 2-step verification (2SV) on their most
important accounts.
2SV adds an extra layer of security, making it much harder for
attackers to access your accounts even if your password is
compromised.
NCSC Chief Operating Officer Felicity Oswald
said:
“Online fraudsters are constantly finding new ways to trick
you into sharing personal information or money, but thankfully,
there are ways to protect yourself.
“Today, we're launching a nationwide campaign urging everyone to
strengthen their security by enabling two-step verification
(2SV), which adds an extra layer of protection to keep your
accounts safe.
“Toughen up your online security by enabling 2SV today - usually
found in the security settings of your accounts - and keep the
fraudsters out.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
