HANO: Beware of Section 8 scammers

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Federal officials are warning individuals seeking housing assistance of Section 8 scammers attempting to get money and personal information.

The Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently alerted the Housing Authority of New Orleans about the issue.

The scammers have created false websites that appear as registration sites for Section 8 waiting list lotteries. They encourage applicants to pay a fee or provide personal information to register for a fictitious Section 8 list.

Other sites have advertised the use of wire transfer payments to secure the first month's rent at properties hosting Section 8 vouchered units. While the properties may exist, the advertisements are false, according to officials.

HANO is reminding all potential Section 8 applicants that these sites are bogus. Vouchers are only issued through government public housing agencies and funded by HUD.

The HANO Section 8 waiting list is currently closed.

For more information, or to view a list of tips to avoid a Section 8 lottery scam, visit https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/section-8-scammers-cheat-people-seeking-housing.