The search for a “good deal” could be leading victims into a costly online scam.
The OPP tells myFM News that they regularly get reports from victims looking to get a good deal on heavy machinery or farm equipment online.
Here’s how they say the scam works: victims looking to buy the equipment at below-market value are contacted directly by the fraudster, who uses stolen images and information from other platforms to look legitimate.
The two sides agree on a price and shipping logistics before the scammer asks for a wire transfer to a bank in the United States. They get the money but never deliver the equipment, leaving the victim with hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says people reported 8.9 million dollars of merchandise fraud last year, but only 5–10% of victims actually reported the crime to the authorities.
Both the OPP and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre say that taking your time and researching your purchase could save you time, money, and stress.
- If a deal seems too good to be true, it is. Fraudsters use reputable websites to post stolen images and equipment information.
- If you don’t know the buyer or seller, investigate them thoroughly (i.e., do internet map searches for the address, reverse image searches of the equipment, and consider contacting local heavy equipment repair companies).
- If possible, physically inspect the equipment or consider having a professional conduct the inspection.
- Don’t be influenced by an extreme sense of urgency by the other party.
If you fall victim to fraud or know someone who has, contact your local police service to report the crime and report it to the CAFC’s online Fraud Reporting System, even if a financial loss did not occur.
(written by Kasey Egan)
