Seller beware, West Shore RCMP investigating an influx in e-transfer scams

The West Shore RCMP has received numerous reports of scam taking place on a Greater Victoria Website.

The scam is taking place on Used.ca, and typically involves a scam artist posing as a buyer messaging the seller and offering e-transfer to buy or place a hold on the item for sale.

The buyer accepts the e-transfer but it presents the seller with a few extra steps, like entering your bank account information in order to receive the money. In the background what’s actually taking place is the scam artist is rerouting money from the sellers account into their own, essentially draining the sellers bank account.

We have received approximately 5 reports in the last few weeks regarding this type of scam. We have spoken to Used.ca who is aware and in the process of notifying their subscribers.

Here are some tips on how to spot this type of scam and keep yourself safe online:

• Buyer appears overly eager and wants to place a hold on the item(s) for sale, they state they cannot pick up the items right away ie. I am moving and can’t come get the item;
• Buyer asks you to respond using your personal e-mail;
• Buyer insists on e-transfer payment using PayPal (which redirects you to a fraudulent link);
•  The buyer is relying on you to input your banking information using the fraudulent link they sent for e-transfer;
• A Seller can set up auto deposit, which will prevent you from having to input any banking information and protect your bank account.