FTC and HUD Issue Warning about Section 8 Website Scams - June 12, 2015

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are working together to alert consumers of scams aimed at people who are seeking Section 8 housing. 

Fraudulent websites have been created to look exactly like registration sites for Section 8 waiting list lotteries.  They may have "Section 8" in the title and some have been known to show an Equal Housing Opportunity logo.  These websites ask for consumers' personal information, which they may sell to identity thieves, and charge a fee for placement on Section 8 waiting lists.  Other websites have been known to list actual Section 8 properties and claim they are available for rent.  Once consumers have decided on properties they wish to rent, they are prompted to pay the first month's rent via wire transfer or prepaid card.  Every variation of these scams steals the consumer's information, money, or both, while not actually placing the consumer on a Section 8 waiting list.

The FTC has asked NCSHA to help highlight these scams that are targeting potential Section 8 participants.  Please click here for the FTC's blog post for more information and helpful tips to avoid these scams.