The following was submitted by Prince Edward County OPP:
Members of the Prince Edward County OPP remind everyone to use caution and do their research when selling or purchasing goods on social media.
There have been several incidents reported to police regarding fraudsters compromising social media accounts and posting fraudulent items for sale. Fraudsters appear to post fake items for sale through the compromised social media accounts and demand a deposit be placed on the item by requesting an “e-transfer” from the victim.
Unfortunately, scammers are very tricky and can adapt their approach, so people of all ages fall victim to their schemes. By taking the following steps, you can better protect your online accounts from fraud:
- Create a strong password
- Enable multi-factor authentication
- Only log into your accounts from trusted sources
- Don’t reveal personal information over social media
Your online accounts hold a lot of personal data. To help prevent victimization, please share this information, especially with those who may be at risk. For more details, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. If you have lost money due to fraud, report it to police at 1-888-310-1122. Visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for more information.
