Oxford County residents fall prey to marketplace scam

A South-West Oxford resident learned a difficult lesson this week after trying to buy a couch through an online marketplace.

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The resident, police say, reportedly sends the seller a $50 deposit through electronic banking to hold the couch. After the deposit was sent, the seller abruptly stopped communicating with the buyer, police alleged.

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The Oxford detachment of the OPP was then notified of this suspected fraud on Monday evening.

Because of the growing prevalence of these kinds of scams, the Oxford OPP urges residents to be careful when searching online marketplaces. Some scammers will use stolen photos with their ads, claiming these are the items they have for sale. Often, the seller will ask for the entire amount or a deposit in advance and then disappear.

To avoid these kinds of scams, the OPP recommends:

  • Knowing who you’re dealing with by independently confirming the seller’s name, address and telephone number;
  • Resisting pressure to act now since offers that seem too good to be true typically are;
  • Never wire money or using back-to-bank transfers in a transaction;
  • Always trying to deal locally when buying or selling online;
  • Never selling or buying anything from someone who’s unwilling or unable to meet face to face; and
  • Using Project Safe Trade parking spots through local police departments, including the designated spaces at the Ingersoll and Tillsonburg OPP detachments.

For more information, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center at 1-888-495-8501 or online at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm.

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