A few days before the moving period, the Saguenay Police Department (SPS) warns the population against fraudsters who are rampant on online purchase and resale sites and platforms.
The police force has received several complaints from citizens scammed on the Internet, after having tried to obtain furniture or household appliances.
The scammers’ scheme is to display items, often at low prices, and ask for a deposit. At the time of picking up by the buyer, no one shows up. It then becomes impossible to communicate with the sellers, who use false names.
Once the deposit has been cashed, the seller sets up a false appointment with the buyer and hastens to make any communication between the two impossible. It is only once at the meeting point with the seller that the buyer understands that he has just been the victim of a scam specifies the SPSin a press release released Thursday.
To avoid getting caught in the game, vigilance is required. The SPS recommends that Internet users ensure that the seller’s contact details are valid and that it is possible to reach him by telephone. It is also advisable to avoid sending a deposit to anyone without providing them with a password allowing them to collect the funds at the time of the transaction.
The police department invites the population not to hesitate to report any fraud of this kind.
Source: Radio-Canada
