ALBANY, NY (Erie News Now)--As more students return to campus and moving season continues on, the Department of State warns New Yorkers about rental and moving scams. 

They advise New Yorkers to avoid certain practices such as giving into high-pressure sale tactics and using untraceable payment methods such as cash apps, gift cards, or prepaid debit cards 

“Once the money is gone, it’s gone because these are untraceable funds, most of these scammers operate overseas. The chances of you getting your money back are really slim to none so prevention goes a long way in this area,” said Paula O’Brien-Soler, Director of the New York State Division of Consumer Protection.

O'Brien-Soler said New Yorkers should avoid giving any personal information out until they have seen the property and to verify the identity of any real estate professional they might be working with. 

“We’ve had a lot of complaints of impersonation of real estate agents in New York. So, you want to make sure that you know who you’re dealing with,” she said. 

An individual can verify a real estate professional's identity and license through the Department of State's public database on their website. 

O'Brien-Soler said other common prevention measures New Yorker's can practice including getting written estimates and hiring licensed and registered movers. In New York State all moving companies are required to be licensed. 

The helpline for the Division of Consumer Protections helpline can be reached at 1-800-697-1220 and consumer complaints can be filed  on the Department of State's website.