Vivastreet blog

Student lettings continue to go from strength to strength across the UK, despite the recent economic downturn and the concerns of landlords over finding tenants for their properties. With auction houses reporting a recent surge in investors snapping up properties that are close to universities, it’s no wonder considering an estimated 88% of students live in privately rented accommodation because university halls are booked up.

That’s where HomeForStudents.co.uk comes in. Launched earlier in the year, the site offers a quick and simple way for student tenants to find a student flatshare. Similar in nature to a social networking website, students can upload pictures, along with their details and preferences as to who they’re looking for as housemates. Landlords, too, can upload their rooms to rent, look for suitable tenants and then make contact.

Students using the site are able to browse properties from both landlords and letting agents, for whom the service is currently free to use. A paid service for is planned for a later date once the site is firmly established, but students will never be charged for using the service.

In a similar vein to EasyRoommate, all content on the site is kept up to date to help keep it safe and scam-free. Outdated ads are quickly removed to prevent misrepresentation and an artificially inflated database, and the website also has an advanced search facility along with dedicated 24/7 customer support.

The internet has revolutionised the way we live, work and shop but recent research carried out by GetSafeOnline.org highlights the increasing need for vigilance against online fraudsters. 23 per cent of UK internet users surveyed said that they, or their close friends and family, had been a victim of phishing scams in the past 12 month period, compared to just eight per cent the year before. Similarly, over 1 in 6 (16 per cent) had fallen prey to other scam emails or websites.

Three of the most common e-mail scams which consumers should look out for are:

• Phishing – the email appears to come from your bank, a company you regularly do business with, a Government Department or from your social networking site and directs you to a mocked up website that asks you to provide personal data such as account details, passwords and credit card numbers. The site is fake and your details can be used to commit identity fraud.
• Bogus foreign lotteries – you are told you have won a foreign lottery but to claim your winnings must send off money to cover administrative fees. Often your personal details will also be requested and used to commit identity fraud.
• Advance fee scams – someone asks you to help transfer a large sum of money out of a foreign country in return for a share of the spoils but they are just looking to empty your bank account.  A recent variation involves being asked to part with money for “taxes” and “visas” in relation for a fake job offer.

Mike Haley, OFT Director of Consumer Protection, said: “Using the internet can be safe and easy but we are urging the public to be vigilant to the dangers of ever more sophisticated online scams. Never respond to offers promising vast lottery wins or ‘get rich quick’ opportunities and never disclose personal details to people you don’t know.”

Tony Neate, Managing Director of GetSafeOnline.org, adds:

“At the moment, many of us will be particularly worried about our financial security and we shouldn’t be surprised to see online scammers trying to turn this to their advantage. Don’t let this deter you from using the internet, however – as long as you make sure you know the warning signs to look out for and how to protect your computer properly, and use your common sense, you can enjoy the web safely as millions of people do every day”.

People who have fallen victim to internet frauds should contact their local police station. Phishing emails should be reported to the relevant bank using the contact details on their website or by sending an email to reports@banksafeonline.org.uk, as well as your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

For free, independent, easy to follow advice about online safety, visit www.getsafeonline.org.

For more information on scams in general and what to watch out for visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/watch_out/scams/