Important Alert: Local Online Marketplace Scam

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Local police have issued a warning to the public following several people in the Okanagan falling victim to a scam that originates from local online marketplace buy and sell sites.

How does the scam work?

  1. You as the seller, post an item for sale online.
  2. You are contacted by “the buyer” offering to pay you full price for the item you are selling.
  3. “The buyer” claims they will e-transfer the funds to you, asking you to check your email for the notification.
  4. In the email, there is a link that once clicked, takes you to a “legitimate-looking” banking webpage.
  5. The seller is then asked to enter their banking information along with their phone number to receive a verification code through a text message
  6. Once that information is entered, scammers then have direct access to your bank account and can transfer funds out.

How can you avoid this scam?
Police recommend that the sale of online marketplace items be done in a public place with cameras.

If you have fallen victim to a scam, please reach out to your local RCMP detachment Vernon North Okanagan detachment – British Columbia (rcmp-grc.gc.ca)

Protect your self from fraud, learn more here.

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