Housing scam targets Section 8, voucher recipients with fake wait lists

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - If you’re contacted about a deal for housing that seems too good to be true – it’s probably because it is.

Authorities with Minnesota Housing – the state agency that works to provide access to safe, stable and accessible housing – are warning people of potential scams from people impersonating them, and offering deals that aren’t legitimate.

Perpetrators of the fraudulent offers pose as the state agency on Facebook, using alternate identities including "Minnesota Housing Authority" and "Minnesota Housing Development Authority" to lure people to apply for nonexistent housing units and vouchers either online or in person, authorities are saying.

People who fall for the offers are then asked for personal information that can pose risks of identity theft.

"This scam targets some of the most vulnerable populations in our state, which is unacceptable," Minnesota Housing Deputy Commissioner Rachel Robinson said in a statement. "It exploits the urgency tied to housing… We know Minnesotans are struggling to secure safe and stable housing around the state."

Minnesota Housing does not manage wait lists and does not issue housing vouchers, which authorities have since sought to clarify.

People with questions about federal rental assistance are encouraged to contact their local Public Housing Agency.