Accommodation fraud surged by 38% in 2022, according to new Garda figures.

The news comes as many students begin looking for accommodation for the new academic year - a time when reports of the crime tend to spike.

Each year, one third of all accommodation fraud is reported in August or September and between 2019 and 2023 Gardaí estimate some €2 million was stolen.

2022 saw a surge in the crime – although Gardaí there has been a slight decrease in 2023 - with reports down 8% in the first six months of the year.

Garda statistics also reveal that half of all victims are under 25, half live in Dublin and 55% are women.

Gardaí advise those looking for accommodation to, where possible, use letting agents and to make sure the website you are using is real - not a clone.

They are also advising people not to pay their rent in cash, by Revolut or with cryptocurrency.

They say the best way to protect yourself is to make sure you have a tenancy agreement and get a receipt for your deposit

Non-existent room

Last year, Lunchtime Live spoke to Antone who paid a woman a month’s rent and a deposit for a room in Tallaght.

“I went to the house and I knocked on the door and there was a man who opened the door,” he said.

“I introduced myself, I said ‘hello’, I’ve come here because I’ve rented a room here but I was surprised to see a man open the door.”

It turned out Antone had been scammed out of €1,800 and he was forced to book himself into a hotel while he continued his search for a real room to rent.

Main image: Split of keys and Trinity College