Housing Scam Notification

It has come to our attention that several landlords have been contacted via e-mail by people posing as international students/visiting scholars/faculty. The majority of these e-mails have originated from the UK.

Typically, the scam works like this:

• Tenant expresses urgency in completing rental agreement agrees to send a check/money order for the cost of the rental ASAP.  
• Tenant sends a counterfeit check/money order for more money than is needed and requests the landlord send them the balance.  
• Tenant states that they’re planning to use the balance to purchase their plane ticket, furniture or another urgent cause and asks the landlord to send the money ASAP.  
• Upon initial deposit, the bank accepts the counterfeits but contacts the landlord within a couple of days and notifies them that the check/money order was fake.  

If you feel suspicious that a potential tenant may be attempting a scam, request that the bank/post office investigate and/or contact the following:

• FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)  
• FTC online complaint form (www.ftc.gov)  
• Internet Fraud Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov/)  
• Non-emergency number for your local police department. 

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE OF THIS WARNING AND BE SUSPICIOUS