Скачать или смотреть Troubleshooter: Housing Assistance Alert

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Authorities warned about fraudulent offers and websites claiming they can provide you with housing assistance.

Con artists find those in need can be easy prey. The scams have ripped off hundreds of people for thousands of dollars. Those seeking federal housing assistance need to beware of fraudulent offers. They are appearing in magazines and on the Internet and take advantage of those who can least afford it.

An ad for consumers making less than $30,000 a year claimed it can help save renters hundreds of dollars with a section 8 voucher.

Christopher Cizin, a US postal inspector, said, "They had to send a $10 check or money order for the initial application. They were notified they were approved, and they needed to send $299 for the second phase."

"Section 8 housing" is a federally-funded assistance program to almost 5 million low income households in the US. Postal inspectors said those ads were placed in penny saver magazines and got a lot of attention. More than 250 victims lost thousands of dollars with the scam.

Cizin said, "The victims were extremely sad and scared because the money that they paid to the scam was money that they could have right now to pay for their current rent."

Postal inspectors caught up with James Bozzuto after an employee he hired thought something was wrong, "They worked at this company for approximately one week, they saw a lot of money coming in, and nobody was receiving what they were doing. They felt like it was a scam," said Cizin.

As far as officials know, he was taking the money and spending it on himself.

Mirza Orriols with HUD said, "It is unfortunate that we do have folks who do this type of scams, sometimes they prey on the very elderly, the very poor folks that don't know any better or don't have this information and that is a shame."

HUD officials want consumers to know there is no upfront fee to apply for section 8 vouchers. In order to make sure you are talking to the right people - call your local government officials directly.

James Bozzuto pleaded guilty to mail fraud charges in this case and is awaiting sentencing.