Students warned of 'perfect storm for rental scam surge'

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission said to never agree to rent a property without having seen it first in person, never use cash to pay the deposit nor make any payments until you have been given the written lease and the keys fit the doors. File photo: Mark Stedman/RollingNews.ie

The consumer watchdog has issued a warning to students ahead of the new academic year as they face a “perfect storm for a surge in rental scams”.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said that gardaí have reported a 65% increase in accommodation scams since 2019 and is warning students to take care not to fall prey to such frauds.