Police issue warning after reports of rental scams in Wiltshire
Eight incidents have been reported to police so far this month.
A series of rental scams have been reported in South Wiltshire, with people looking for a new home urged to be cautious.
Eight incidents have been passed on to Police so far during June.
A man's been posing as a landlord, and showing potential tenants around a property he doesn't own - cutting off communications once a deposit's been paid.
Wiltshire Police's Complex Fraud Manager Cheryl Hurren said: "We are following various lines of enquiry in relation to these reports and are taking them very seriously.
"We understand that with the rental market being incredibly competitive at the moment, people might be tempted to take more risks to secure a property.
“However, I would urge people to be cautious and make sure what you are seeing is 100% legitimate.
"Fortunately fraudulent landlords and letting agents are a minority in the industry but there are ways that people can check if the landlord or agent is a member of an industry body, which would indicate they are genuine and committed to improving standards.
“I would ask those looking for rental properties to be aware and report to us if you’ve seen or been involved in anything that has made you feel uncomfortable or suspicious."
“Until you’re certain that the advertiser is genuine, don’t send any money to anyone advertising rental properties online – remember this simple message: ‘My money? My info? I don’t think so’.”