Scam websites target low-income Seattle renters
SEATTLE - Fake websites cropping up on Google could cost dozens of low-income residents their shot at receiving housing assistance and put their personal information at risk, according to the Seattle Housing Authority.
"They are preying on people who need help, telling them they have to pay for things when they actually don't," said Michelle Ackerman, spokesperson for Seattle Housing Authority (SHA).
On Tuesday, SHA launched its Section 8 Waitlist Lottery, a federally funded voucher program that helps people making 30 percent or less of the area median income pay for housing.
"For a family of four, they are making $26,000 a year," Ackerman said. "These are people who really have trouble paying their rent and need assistance."
A day after SHA launched its online lottery registration several people called the agency questioning the legitimacy of sites such as housing-voucher.com and housingvoucher.org. Ackerman said both of these sites showed up in Google searches for Section 8 housing vouchers above SHA's link, and she says there could be more.
"We don't know how many people are going to these websites listed above ours and registering, thinking they are getting help but they really aren't," she said.
The fake sites ask an applicant for financial and personal information, instructing those trying to register for the housing lottery they need to pay for a credit report before they can apply, which is not true, according to SHA.
"Then they come back and solicit these people for high-interest loans," Ackerman said.
According to SHA, it has reached out to Google and a number of federal agencies trying to see about getting these fake websites removed. Ackerman also said they have bought ad space on Google hoping SHA's link will be at the top of the list when a person searches for housing assistance.
As of Wednesday, nearly 10,800 people had registered for the housing lottery with SHA. This is the first time since 2008 Seattle's affordable housing waiting list has reopened, and SHA expects to see the number of those who apply continue to grow.
Registration for the lottery closes by 5 p.m. Feb. 22.
Anyone who is worried they may have applied for the lottery program using one of the fake sites, can call the Seattle Housing Authority at 206-239-1674 and check to make sure they properly registered.
Speaking of scams on a website, I have seen known "Work at Home" scams advertised on this KOMO news website.  Not recently but about a couple months back they would show up as different ads with different come on but were the same scam. I followed the trail and they were listed as scams by consumer fraud and related consumer complaint websites.
@growlerxrunner I constantly see the Facebook, "3 people unfriended you" on this KOMO site. How do they know? Plus, I don't even have a Facebook acount! Supposed trust worthy sites should really pay more attention to what is being advertised on them.
Google is hosting the pages? That first line needs some work and understanding of technology they are speaking of.
How is it a family of four only makes 26K a year? What kind of lack of responsibility is that?
@dgruntled Tasteless comment. Would you rather them be on welfare?
 @dgruntled As to your comments, I don't know where to start. At least THEY are WORKING?. Some people don't even have jobs, and its not always to the fault of their own.  Not everybody is blessed with making a six figure income as you suggest they should be.Â
 @dgruntled employers paying peanuts to it's workers in the name of profits
How about: dad makes $13.50 an hour, mom stays home with 2 kids because she may as well stay at home rather than go to work just to pay for daycare....?
 @LocalLady some people don't have that option, although it must be nice
 @bluejedi:Â
Would you rather it be by the lowest bidder? I would think people would WANT to pay for quality daycare - and in order to do that, they need to be paying the price it takes to get quality child care.
$600 is a steal! I pay $840 for my toddler and that was on the cheaper end, my husband and I want to have another child and soon I'll be in a similar boat, paying $2000 a month in daycare, it will almost be more cost effective for me to stay home...
 @neets458 I totally understand where they are coming from. My sister in law is waiting to find work until this fall, when her youngest starts all day K. Right now her hubby is working full time. If she took the job-a guaranteed 30 hour a week job she was offered (minimum wage) at this sandwich shop, it would cost them 2/3 of her monthly pay check just to pay for day care. Part time for the oldest 3 (in K, 2nd, 4th) full time for her youngest who starts school next year. Even after she starts working it will take a good chuck of some body's check just to pay for day care. The cost of quality day care is out of control. The system is broken.
@chrystalblue You are correct there. My son and daughter in law pay $600.00 for daycare. It takes one of my daughter in laws paychecks a month to pay for it. They make enough to pay for their mortage, bills and maybe lucky to go to dinner once a month.
@BlueJedi @dgruntled --- That's right, blame the employer. There is no sense in personal responsibility here. Good grief.Â
Can"t fix stupid