The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) is warning students looking for accommodation to be on the look out for scammers.
It says fraudsters are advertising properties and seeking payment online for rooms which either do not exist or are not for rent.
It comes after two international students arrived at a Dublin house to move in, only to find the premises was not for rent and the woman living there knew nothing about it.
The students had paid over €700 in deposits and in first months' rent.
A similar case has also emerged in Galway in recent days.
The USI is appealing to families to rent out spare rooms because of the severe shortage of suitable accommodation in urban areas.
Greg O'Donoghue is the USI vice president for welfare. He spoke to Newstalk Breakfast and gave this advice for students.
