CORTLAND, NY (607NewsNow) — Have you encountered an online listing for a rental unit? The Cortland Police Department says be careful.

“In the most recent case, a resident was contacted on social media regarding a property listed for rent in Cortland. The victim was instructed to send a deposit via Chime, a digital banking platform, and later asked for additional funds via Apple gift cards. The individual never met the victim in person, and all communication occurred through Facebook Messenger. After the money was transferred, the suspect stopped responding. Chime banking app was used in at least two of these fraud cases recently,” according to a post on the Cortland PD Facebook page.

Officers are also issuing some reminders to anyone looking for a rental:

– Do NOT send money (via Chime, prepaid cards, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, etc.) to anyone you haven’t met in person or verified as a legitimate landlord.
– Always insist on viewing the rental property in person and meeting the landlord directly before sending any payments.
– Be cautious of landlords who avoid phone calls and only communicate via messaging apps.
– Report suspicious listings or activity on online platforms immediately.
“If you believe you’ve been the victim of a rental scam, contact the Cortland Police Department at (607) 753-3001. We are actively investigating these incidents and working to identify the suspects.”