RCMP warn public of a new marketplace scam

Kelowna

2024-08-21 10:42 PDT

The Kelowna RCMP is warning the public of a new marketplace scam that has victimized people in the Okanagan.

In these incidents, the victim has been the seller. In this scam the potential buyer offers to pay full price for the item(s) and claims they will e-transfer the funds to the seller, telling them to check their email for a notification. When the email arrives, there is a link that takes the seller to a legitimate looking bank webpage. The seller then enters their bank information along with their phone number to receive a verification code through a text message that also needs to be entered.

Once all the information is entered scammers can gain direct access to the victim’s bank account and transfer funds out.

This is an extremely sophisticated scam that is a variation of the one-time passcode scam, says Sgt. Laura Pollock, Kelowna RCMP Media Relations Officer. We encourage you to make your marketplace exchanges in public locations with security cameras.

If you are the victim of a fraud or scam please call the Kelowna RCMP detachment to report it at 250-762-3300.

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