Hackers impersonating QLD agents to cash in on rental crisis

Hackers are now posing as legitimate Queensland real estate agents in a bid to cash in on Queensland’s ongoing rental crisis, with one agency issuing a warning to desperate tenants.

HACKERS are now posing as legitimate Queensland real estate agents in a bid to cash in on Queensland’s ongoing rental crisis.

Code Property Group on the Sunshine Coast was made aware of the new scam earlier this morning after a local person lost $4075 under the guise that it was a bond payment plus two weeks rent to secure a property.

The hacker impersonated one of Code’s own agents.

“The internet is rife with scammers seeking to take advantage of vulnerable people who are desperate for a rental property to call home,” the agency warned.

“Applicants can easily fall victim to scams given their fragile emotional state while the rental market in Australia continues to tighten.”

MORE NEWS: Desperate QLD renters scammed out of $40k amid housing crisis

One QLD family’s close call with low-life rent scammer

Renters turn to social media to mock QLD’s housing crisis

The scam text seen by Code Property Group

The real estate firm said hackers were now assuming the identities of local real estate agents.

“The scam begins with potential tenants being contacted via email asking if they are interested in a property that the scammer is “renting out”,” the agency said.

“Depending on the tenant’s reply, the hacker will ask what areas the tenant is interested in moving to and based on their answer, a simple Google search will bring up properties and their respective rental agents in the desired area which then becomes the basis of the bond scam.

“This cyber scam involves communication from what tenants believe to be a trusted real estate agent, even sending through fake rental contracts to sign with company logos attached making the story extremely believable.”

Correspondence supposedly from a legitimate real estate agent

News Corp recently revealed that hundreds of desperate Queensland renters have been targeted by scammers who are taking advantage of the state’s housing crisis.

The Australian Competion and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has received more than 275 reports nationally via Scamwatch, with losses exceeding $175,000 as of August 5.

Of those, 59 complaints have been made by Queenslanders, who have lost a combined $35,811, according to an ACCC spokeswoman.

But that could just be the tip of the iceberg, with the Financial and Cyber Crime Group receiving 452 reports nationally, of which 169 were from Queensland victims.

The ACCC revealed that renters aged between 18 and 24 years had lost the most money to rental scams in Queensland, with women losing more than men.

It is not uncommon to see single mothers or women fleeing domestic violence pleading for help to find a home on social media platforms.

Young people with limited rental history have also taken to online forums to find a place to live.

Hannah Molen-Clarke and her mother in law Nicky Skinner who were almost scammed by a rental scammer on Facebook. Picture Lachie Millard

Speaking exclusively to News, a Sunshine Coast family revealed just how close they came to losing $2000 to a rental scammer.

When Hannah Molen-Clarke asked to contact the scammer, they claimed they couldn’t speak by phone or video call, raising suspicions immediately.

Scammer texts to Hannah

So Hannah and her mother-in-law Nicolle, who was the one looking for a rental, drove to the property that was supposedly available for rent.

And the real owner answered the door.

“I showed her the conversation I had been having with this person and she (the homeowner) was very sympathetic,” Hannah said.

“She even showed us inside and it was nothing like the pictures I had been sent.

“The market is just horrible and I think, at the time, we were just overjoyed to have been offered something.”

Scammer texts to Hannah

To protect any further tenants from being lulled into a false sense of security by hackers, Code Property Group have listed their top tips when it comes to cyber safety and applying for rental properties.

1. Always check that communication coming from an agent’s email address correctly matches their name and website listing.

2. Never transfer money into a bank account that is unfamiliar to you. Real estate agencies will often have a trust account that includes the agency name rather than an individual person’s account.

3. Wait for verbal confirmation for any tenancy agreement. Agents often call successful tenants to congratulate them and clarify details regarding their new tenancy.

4. Contact agents directly if you are interested in a property. Most agents have their phone number and email address displayed next to their listed property. Code Property Group recommends sending any inquiries directly through to agents rather than third parties.

It is imperative for applicants searching for tenancies to remain vigilant when disclosing their personal information online. Anyone who encounters a cybercrime is encouraged to report via scamwatch.gov.au to protect others.