Items for Sale and Overpayment of Goods

Have you ever been contacted by a person offering what seems to an excessive amount for goods that you intend to sell? You feel like you’ve hit the jackpot. However, you should use caution when this happens!

Criminals will send the payment to you, usually by a fraudulent cheque. The sender will normally request that you send back the surplus funds.

You send the surplus by using your chequing account or by other payment means. By the time you realize their cheque is fraudulent, you are out the money you sent to them.

What happens if you are a victim of a scam?
In both these examples, you become a party to the offence by depositing the fraudulent cheque in your account. The bank will hold you responsible for the fraudulent amount that was deposited. It puts you in an awkward position to explain your actions.

To report fraud:

• Contact your local police service
• Contact your credit bureau
• Contact Phonebusters National Call Centre toll free 1-888-495-8501 or
• Report Economic Crime Online at the RECOL website