Have you finally found that used item you've been looking for on an online sales site?
South Simcoe Police warn that they have seen an increase in reports of people being scammed on one online site in particular, Facebook Marketplace.
In a typical scenario, scammers are posting items for sale and once victims provide a deposit, the fake seller stops communicating or gives a fake address as a meeting place, police said in a news release.
Police provided these tips to help reduce the risk of falling victim:
- Don't pay in advance. Only pay for an item once it is received in person.
- Research sellers and their online profile. Do an online search to see if anyone has already reported the fraudulent seller.
- Meet in a public, busy area where security cameras are present and attend the location with a second person.
- Be wary of items advertised at a big discount – if it looks too good to be true, it probably is a scam.
- Trust your instincts.
If you've been scammed, whether as a buyer or as a seller, you can report it to both the police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, police note.
You can also report it to Facebook Marketplace at this link.
