Save yourself from being cheated on rental sites
People are told to send the first one or two months' rent, along with the security money, or some token amount. And as soon as they send the money, fraudsters disappear from the scene.
Taking a home on rent is no easy task. Prospective tenants depend a lot on online sites to look for suitable house to take on rent. In this regard, several cases of fraud have come to light where cyber fraudsters post fake ads of flats. People are told to send the first one or two months’ rent, along with the security money, or some token amount. And as soon as they send the money, fraudsters disappear from the scene. Many such cases have been reported in big cities, especially where people have come from outside for work.
What do the numbers say? According to a NoBroker Rental Market Trends 2023 survey, approximately 43 percent of tenants in India use real estate websites to search for rental accommodation. It has seen an increase of more than 35 percent annual basis. Among those who are searching for properties online, 32 percent are individuals with an average age between 25 and 35. This means they are working-class people.
Fraudsters know that finding the right apartment is not an easy task. People are often drawn in by pictures of good apartments. In this fast-paced world, people live in a hurry. They are short of time, and that’s why online sites alleviate their troubles to a great extent. Fraudsters take advantage of this.
You might have understood the modus operandi, but now the important question arises: where and how can you report such frauds. So, you can report it on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal – cybercrime.gov.in or call the toll-free national helpline number 1930.
To protect yourself from scams, stay alert while searching for flats online. There are a few things you should be aware of. For example, a fake landlord will ask you to transfer money online right at that moment. He will insist on it without meeting face to face. If you hesitate to send money immediately, they might claim to be in another city or even out of the country. But you should be cautious when hearing such things. This way, you can protect yourself from fraud.
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