Do your homework and do your research.
That’s the message from the OPP who are trying to protect buyers and sellers from being victims of online fraud. They say that although e-commerce has made it more convenient for everyone, it increases the chances of being a victim.
They say that due to these scams, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre estimates that 6.3 million dollars have been lost country-wide in 2018.
Locally, just last week, the Renfrew OPP reported that they charged a man with 12 counts of online fraud under $5000, which is quite alarming.
The OPP says that it’s in your best interest to do your homework. Some of the ways you can protect yourself from being a victim is to:
– Check the seller’s reviews and look to see if others had a bad experience.
– Do business with reputable individuals and companies.
– Verify their information (phone and email address).
– Look for pop-ups that direct you away from the original page.
– Understand the payment options, warranty and return policy.
– Check to see if you are covered for fraud with your method of payment.
– If you are the seller, wait until the payment clears before sending the item.
If you suspect you’ve been a victim, the OPP advises you to contact your financial services company and your local police. To file a complaint, click here or call 1-888-495-8501.