Scam Alert - Beware of Scammers Impersonating Housing Authorities

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (JUNE 28, 2024) - The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) is alerting the public to a concerning trend of scammers impersonating housing authorities across the country.

This week, a Facebook page pretending to be Minnesota Housing directed people to apply for nonexistent housing and vouchers, potentially putting them at risk for identity theft, said the Minnesota Housing agency. Unsuspecting people who followed the links were asked for personally identifiable information that, if provided, put them at risk for identity theft. Similar scams have targeted housing agencies in multiple states in recent weeks.

Learn more:

• https://www.mnhousing.gov/agency-news/article/hcv-scam
• https://lptv.org/minnesota-housing-agency-impersonated-in-scam-on-facebook/
• https://kroxam.com/minnesota-housing-was-impersonated-in-a-facebook-scam/

SPHA urges the public to exercise caution and to verify the authenticity of any communication claiming to be from a housing authority. Do not provide personal information unless you are certain the source is legitimate.

A housing authority will not charge a fee to apply to the Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing Programs.

ABOUT THE ST. PETERSBURG HOUSING AUTHORITY (SPHA):

An independent quasi-governmental entity and a political subdivision of the State of Florida, operating under Chapter 421 Florida Statutes, SPHA is the local administrative agency for housing assistance programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). SPHA offers a variety of programs and services that provide affordable rental housing to low-income families, seniors, veterans, and the disabled in the greater St. Petersburg region. For more information, visit www.stpeteha.org.