NYCHA Website Scam Under Investigation

A website set up to allegedly help people apply for public housing was outed as a scam by the New York City Housing Authority on Monday, with NYCHA advising people not to fall for it. The website, housed under the URL newyorkcityhousing.nyc, has applicants pay $150 for a public housing application through PayPal.

A NYCHA spokesperson released a statement Monday telling applicants they never have to pay to apply for public housing:

"Any attempt to take advantage of New Yorkers seeking affordable and public housing is not only unconscionable and unacceptable – it’s fraud. Applicants do not have to pay a fee to apply for a public housing apartment or a Section 8 voucher. This scam is part of an active investigation by the Department of Investigation, so we cannot discuss further details – except to note that we are working with our agency partners to shut it down immediately."

NYCHA also posted on its Facebook page about the scam:

The website has property listings in all boroughs and claims to "search and contact multiple property management companies on your behalf" and set up viewing appointments. A button that says "Join now" goes to a PayPal site under the account name Creative NC Consultants Services Inc.

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