Following our warning earlier this month about online fraud targeting tenants, our Managing Director Hannah was interviewed talking about the issue by That’s Swansea Bay TV.

Scams and Subletting

We have been made aware by a concerned member of the public that an online fraudster is running a scam on one of our properties here in Swansea, using our marketing photos and advertising it as a private let. As estate agents don’t have any control over the use of photos and information which is publicly available online, this type of crime is worryingly easy to set up, and preys on vulnerable tenants.

In another case, a tenant has been caught posing as a landlord on Airbnb and taking bookings for holiday lets. His actions make the actual landlord’s property insurance invalid, which puts everyone involved at risk. When Airbnb were contacted about the advert, they claimed they could not do anything to stop the listing. We contacted the tenant and asked him to remove the listing himself, but he has yet to do so.

The Interview

You can see the interview by clicking “play” below.

https://www.facebook.com/ThatsSwanseaBayTV/videos/956445714525344/

Both Wales Online and Property Industry Eye have also published articles following our warning.

Related:  Online Fraud Targeting Tenants on the Rise/ McCartan in Wales Online / McCartan in Property Industry Eye