POLICE is warning potential property tenants to make necessary checks after the comeback of pre-paid rent scammers.

Individuals have been scammed after seeing North Yorkshire rental properties advertised on Facebook and contacting private landlords who posted the listings.

The potential tenants have then paid hundreds of pounds in advance rent without viewing the property on the promise of receiving keys in the post, but the landlord has then cut all contact and the keys never arrive.

These scammers have used the coronavirus pandemic as an excuse for the tenant being unable to view the property in person and have instead sent photos upon which the tenant has then made their decision to rent the home.

“This is a tactic we saw used a few years ago, but then it seems to have had a resurgence with scammers finding yet another way to take advantage of the current situation with Covid-19,” said Kevin Ross, North Yorkshire Police financial investigator.

“Not only has it already resulted in victims losing hundreds, but it’s also meant that in some cases they have been left with nowhere to live, having given notice to move out of their current properties.

“My advice to anyone dealing with a private landlord is never to pay any money until you’ve made the following checks.

“Make sure the property is real by visiting it and inspecting it both inside and out, ask to see the landlord’s Land Registry papers to prove ownership and ask for photo ID from the landlord to check they are the person they claim to be.

“If the landlord asks you to transfer money to a bank account that is not in their name, this is very likely to be a scam and you should not make any payments.”

If you have been the victim of rental fraud, call the police via 101.