BRISTOL, NH — The Bristol Police Department is warning residents about an increase in scams involving the Chime payment app.
Police have received five reports over the past couple of weeks where victims were targeted through advertisements found on Facebook Marketplace and other Facebook listings.
The scams have involved apartment rentals, dog adoptions and rescues, and items for sale.
Scammers are taking legitimate ads and reposting them as their own, according to police.
Once contact is made, the scammers request a deposit through the Chime app.
After receiving the initial payment, they continue to ask for more money for spare keys, mailbox changes, or paperwork and transaction fees.
Once payments are sent, the scammer disappears, police said.
Police advise residents to watch for deals that seem too good to be true, requests for payment before seeing a property or item in person, and sellers or landlords who cannot meet locally.
Other warning signs include pressure to send money quickly, requests to use payment apps like Chime, Cash App or Venmo, and multiple unexpected fees after an initial payment.
Police recommend never sending money upfront for rentals, pets or marketplace items.
Residents should always meet in person and verify the property or item is legitimate, and confirm ownership through public records or known contacts.
Police advise avoiding payment apps for transactions with people you do not know and being cautious of anyone asking for additional payments after a deposit.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted or scammed should contact the Bristol Police Department immediately.
