Beware of the overpayment scam
RCMP are advising the public to be careful if someone gives you a cheque when you sell something online, and the amount is for more than what you asked for.
This is called the overpayment scam and RCMP have seen it making a reappearance in the Okanagan.
The scam in simple: the criminal approaches someone selling an item, often online. They purchase the goods using a cheque but make it out for more than the amount. The excuse is often that they misunderstood the purchase price, or thought that the shipping would be more. They then ask you to send or give them the balance back.
You will not find out that the cheque is a fake until it is deposited and processed by your bank and then you will be out the money and your items.
RCMP say fake cheques come in many forms. They can be business or personal cheques, printed to look like legitimate cheques, stolen from a victim of identity fraud, or even a fake money order.
How to avoid this scam:
- Don’t accept cheques for more money than your sale;
- Only accept cheques from known and reliable buyers;
- Request cash or e-transfer;
- Use a safe online platform for selling items.
What to do if you’re a victim of this fraud:
- Report it to your local police
- Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
- Report it to Equifax Canada (1-800-465-7166)
- Report it to TransUnion Canada (1-877-525-3823)