Sellers get warned about scams all the time. Buyers, less so, which is funny because as the buyer you're the one handing over real money up front. If you're paying for something you found online, here's how to not get burned.
The thing working against you as a buyer is simple: you usually pay before you've really confirmed the item is what they said. Cash or e-transfer, once it's gone it's gone. There's no chargeback on an Interac transfer. So everything below is about not letting your money leave your hands until you're sure.
Don't pay a deposit to "hold" anything
This is the big one for buyers. A listing looks great, maybe a little cheap, and the seller says there's a ton of interest, send a deposit to lock it in. The moment you e-transfer that deposit, they're gone. Often the item never existed and a dozen other people sent deposits on the same fake post.
No legit private seller needs a deposit from a stranger. See the thing in person first. And the "lots of interest, act now" pressure isn't a reason to hurry, it's the actual scam. Real deals don't evaporate if you take an hour to think.
Inspect like you mean it before you pay
Bait-and-switch is the other classic. The photos show a clean, working item. What turns up is a different model, a knockoff, something water-damaged, or a phone that's locked or won't even turn on. By the time you notice, you've paid and they've left.
So actually check, properly, before a cent moves:
- Is it the same model as the listing? Check the actual number on the device, not just what they tell you.
- Does it turn on and work? Power it up right there. Make a call, open the camera, run it.
- For phones, is it locked or reported lost or stolen? Make sure it's fully logged out of any account and not iCloud/Google locked.
- Any damage they didn't mention? Look it over front and back.
- Serial number matches the box and any receipt?
If they're rushing you past all this, that's the tell. A real seller doesn't mind you checking.
Your money stays in your pocket until the item is in your hands and you've confirmed it's exactly what was advertised. Pay first, check later is how buyers get scammed.
Watch for prices that are too good
A deal that's way under what everything else is going for isn't your lucky day, it's bait. Underpriced listings are how scammers get you to drop your guard and move fast. Check what the item normally sells for. If this one's suspiciously cheaper, slow down, that's exactly when to be more careful, not less.
Be careful what you hand over besides money
Some buyer-side scams aren't even about the item. A "seller" might ask you to verify yourself with a code they text you, that's them hijacking your phone number, not confirming anything. Or they steer you to pay through some odd link or "buyer protection" site that's really just phishing your details. Pay the normal way, e-transfer or cash in person, and never read out a code or follow a payment link a stranger sends you.
Quick gut-check before you go
- Are you being rushed? Rushing is almost always the scam.
- Are they dodging meeting in person, or pushing to ship?
- Is the price too good to be real?
- Are they asking for a deposit, or money before you've seen it?
- Will they meet somewhere public with cameras? If not, why not?
One or two of these and you should be on alert. Several and you should walk.
The clean way to buy with confidence
Settle is built for exactly this. Your payment is held until you've actually got the item in hand, and if it's not what was promised, you're not out the money. You get to inspect before anything is released to the seller, so "pay first, hope for the best" stops being the deal. No account, just a link and a normal Interac e-transfer.
Create a secure dealGeneral info to help you buy safer, not legal or financial advice. If you've been hit by a scam, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
