Rental Assistance Scam Moving In

When federal rental assistance gets distributed to towns and cities around the nation, scammers are also ready and waiting to hijack this opportunity and prey on consumers in need, by pretending to be someone they’re not.

Here’s how to recognize and possibly stop a rental assistance scam:

If you receive an email, text, call or Facebook message from someone claiming to be from the federal government, the odds are, this is a scam.

When they ask you to send gift cards, cash, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or similar forms of payment to help you get rental assistance, it is probably a scam.

For trustworthy information, it is best to directly visit government or official websites.

To get rental assistance, renters and landlords must apply to a state or local rental assistance program.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau suggests a couple of sources to find out further information.

Follow this link to use a rental assistance finder locating a program:

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus/mortgage-and-housing-assistance/renter-protections/find-help-with-rent-and-utilities/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ERAPscams

Learn more about emergency rental assistance scams:

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/do-you-know-how-to-spot-a-rental-assistance-scam/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ERAPscams

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