Scammers Targeting Section 8 Applicants

Village View Apartments in Springvale

Photo: Sanford Housing Authority

By Zendelle Bouchard

The Sanford Housing Authority wants to make the public aware of a scam targeting housing assistance applicants that has been circulating on social media channels including Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok. The scam purports to expedite applications or reduce waiting list times for those seeking Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), formerly known as Section 8. The scam ads direct applicants to govassistance(dot)org, which is not a legitimate website. The purpose of the scam is to obtain the personal information of prospective applicants to facilitate fraudulent activity.

Scams targeting Section 8 applicants are not new, and variations on this approach have been circulating online for years. Some target their victims through text messages, which contain a link to a phony website.

“At Sanford Housing Authority, we are deeply concerned about the recent Section 8 scam targeting our community,” said SHA Executive Director Diane Small. “This fraudulent activity not only undermines the integrity of our housing programs but also puts vulnerable families at risk. We urge all residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity immediately. Our priority is to ensure safe, fair, and legitimate housing opportunities for all.”

If you are currently on the waiting list for an HCV, and want to update your application, or if you need to apply for a voucher, the real website is https://www.affordablehousing.com/mainecwl. This is the centralized website for all the public housing agencies in Maine. The waiting list is open and accepting new applications.

You may also stop by the Sanford Housing office to pick up a paper application or if you need assistance, call (207) 324-6747, ext. 115. The office is open Monday through Thursday, 9 am to noon and 1 to 3 pm and Fridays by appointment only.

Important things to remember:

• You will never be charged to join a legitimate waiting list for a Housing Choice Voucher.
• Never give your social security number, bank or credit card information or other personal details to a website without first verifying if it is legitimate.
• If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

If you think you may have been a victim of this or another Section 8 scam, you can file a complaint at the Internet Crime Complaint Center at https://www.ic3.gov/. Additionally, if someone contacts you about a scam involving housing assistance, please reach out to the Office of Housing and Urban Development’s Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT) at CIRT@hud.gov.