The digital flea market has become an integral part of our daily lives. Platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji make it incredibly easy to turn unwanted items into cash or find your next apartment or vacation rental. However, this convenience also comes with the risk of falling victim to scams.
Online scams are among the most commonly reported frauds to police. Scammers often lure victims with items priced too good to be true, aiming to steal payment card or personal information. They might take your money and send a worthless item, or sometimes nothing at all.
Another common scam involves contacting sellers and offering to purchase items via e-Transfer. The victim receives a QR code or a fake email to accept the transfer and is prompted to enter their banking information. The e-Transfer is fake, and the victim ends up providing their banking information to the scammer.
To protect yourself when conducting business online, consider these precautions:
- Conduct Transactions in Person: If possible, meet in public places and use cash for transactions.
- Be Cautious with e-Transfers: Never provide passwords for e-Transfers ahead of receiving an item. Remember, reversing an e-Transfer sent to someone with autodeposit can be extremely difficult.
- Avoid QR Codes and Emailed Cheques: Do not accept e-Transfers via QR codes or emailed cheques.
- Beware of Too-Good-to-Be-True Deals: Advertisements offering popular or hard-to-find items at a discount are often scams.
- Do Not Send Deposits to Hold Items: It’s illegal under the Residential Tenancy Act to require a deposit to apply for tenancy. Any rental ad requiring a deposit is likely a scam.
- Use Reverse Image Search: Check if the pictures in the ad have been used elsewhere.
- Verify Social Media Accounts: Social media accounts can be faked or compromised. Just because someone is linked to you through a community or friends does not mean they are trustworthy.
If you or someone you know is a victim of this scam, or any other type of fraud, report it to your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. For more information, visit: https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm
Stay safe and vigilant while navigating the digital flea market!
