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During this summer period, many students are looking for accommodation for the coming academic year. But on ad sites between individuals, you have to be careful of scams that can sometimes be expensive. On a site, 10% of ads are blocked.
Finding accommodation for the start of the school year, a concern for many students. But behind announcements, hide ghost apartments, undue bail requests. In Bordeaux (Gironde), a finance student thought he had found the rare pearl. Baptiste had found this apartment a week ago on the internet. Presented as a 55m2 for 655 euros per month, “a golden affair” for the young man. He exchanges by email with the one who presents himself as the owner who asks him for 655 euros before the visit. Baptiste hesitates, then accepts, after payment no more response.
PAP blocks 10% of ads
Fraudulent ads like this proliferate on peer-to-peer sites. This is the case of an apartment in Paris offered for rent a few weeks ago. In the exchanges between the interested student and the scammer he writes: “Quiet apartment of 29m2, 660 euros. It can be visited today.” When she asks him if she can visit the premises, he says he is moving to Madrid, having entrusted the keys to a friend and asks to provide the deposit of 550 euros and one month’s rent. Two days later, he asks for money, but delays to reassure the young woman. Ghost accommodations, students and their families who are fooled, this is what the PAP private rental site wants to avoid. Its employees scrutinize all advertisements. Proof of identity and ownership are requested, but scammers sometimes send false documents. The site claims to block 10% of ads.