A Saskatchewan man is warning online sellers to be vigilant after he nearly lost thousands of dollars in a Kijiji scam involving a fraudulent cheque. The man, who asked to remain anonymous, listed an item for sale on the popular online marketplace and was contacted by a buyer who agreed to pay via cheque. After depositing the cheque, the man believed the funds were available and shipped the item. However, the cheque later bounced, leaving him out nearly $4,000. He was only able to recover his losses after contacting his bank and the police.
How the Scam Worked
The scammer sent a cheque for an amount higher than the agreed price, claiming it was a mistake and asking the seller to refund the difference. The seller deposited the cheque, saw the funds appear in his account, and sent the excess money back. Days later, the cheque was discovered to be fraudulent, and the bank reversed the deposit. The seller was left responsible for the amount refunded.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Experts advise sellers to be cautious of overpayment, rushed transactions, and requests to use cheques for online sales. They recommend using secure payment methods like credit cards or escrow services. The Saskatchewan man hopes his story will help others avoid similar traps.
“Cover all your bases,” he said. “Don’t trust a cheque just because it clears initially. Wait for it to fully process before shipping anything.”
