Read More
Fraud Awareness

Reports of fraud related to subletting

Public Safety has received reports of fraud related to the app Group Me in a group for University of Pennsylvania subletting.

Multiple Penn affiliates have encountered fraudulent apartment listings in a Penn-specific leasing and subletting group on GroupMe. The victims have reported that after responding to a posting about an available property and agreeing to lease terms, they are instructed to send the first month’s rent and/or the security deposit via a digital payment method such as Zelle. After sending their money, the fraudulent lessors cease contact, and the victims later learn that the apartments advertised were not truly available for rent. In some cases, the victims have even signed what appeared to be legitimate leases for the apartments.

Please exercise caution when searching for your rental, confirm contacts are valid, and use secure methods of payment.

Support Services:

If you should experience what you believe to be fraud or identity theft, please contact any of the following resources to assist you in navigating a resolution. You will not be judged for having experienced such an encounter, please give us the opportunity to help you.