Safety Tips for eClassifieds4U Users
While most individuals who use eClassifieds4U have success with buying, selling, renting or connecting with others, from time to time we do get reports of people attempting to scam or defraud our users. We have found that one of the best ways to address this problem is to ensure that all transactions take place locally and in-person.
Remember that eClassifieds4U is a local classifieds web site and ads are not reviewed before they go live on the site.
1. Use common sense with any transaction
- Never give out personal or financial information
- Trust your gut and instincts
- Transact locally
- NEVER wire funds to distant participants via Western Union or any other service
- Remember to do your homework and Buyers Beware!
2. Who do I notify in case of scams?
- Canada:
- eClassifieds4U – Contact Us
- PhoneBusters hotline: 888-495-8501
- Reporting Economic Crime online (www.recol.ca or 1-800-495-8501)
- USA:
- FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
- FC online complaint form (www.ftc.gov)
- Internet Fraud Complaint Center (www.ifccfbi.gov)
3. How to Recognize (a few examples) online scams and fraud:
- It sounds too good to be true – trust your gut!
- Pay to play – this requires that you need to send money first to receive a prize, pay shipping or delivery costs or fees up front in order to receive the item. Sometimes they will even send a courier to pick up the money!
- You are required to provide your financial information
- The seller is not local or is from a GREAT distance away
- The seller is more excited than you
- An official or manager – the sellers claims to be a manager or government official and proceeds to ask you a number of personal questions
- Phishing or brand spoofing – attempts by fraudsters to get your personal passwords or financial information. For more info see here ( http://www.phonebusters.com/english/recognizeit_phishingemails.html)
- 900 number Scams ( http://www.phonebusters.com/english/recognizeit_900.html)
- Advanced Fee Letter Fraud (419 / West African / Nigerian Letters) ( http://www.phonebusters.com/english/recognizeit_advfeefraud.html)
- Advanced Fee Loans (http://www.phonebusters.com/english/recognizeit_advfee.html)
- Cheque Overpayment Fraud (http://www.phonebusters.com/english/recognizeit_advfeefraudover.html)
- Pyramid Schemes – ( http://www.phonebusters.com/english/recognizeit_pyramid.html)
4. If you suspect that your personal information has been hijacked and misappropriated to commit fraud or theft, take action immediately and keep a record of your conversations and correspondence. The following basic actions are appropriate in almost every case.
- Start a log of dates, person(s) that you spoke with and exactly what they said.
- Contact the fraud departments of each of the two major credit bureaus.
- Equifax: (800) 465-7166 and
- Trans Union: (877) 525-3823 except
- Quebec residents (877) 713-3393
- Request that a 'Fraud Alert' be placed in your files. At the same time order copies of your credit reports.
- Contact the fraud department of creditors for any accounts that have been opened or tampered with fraudulently. This may include credit card companies, phone companies, banks and other lenders.
- File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.
- Contact Phonebusters National Call Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
If you have any other security questions that aren't answered above, then please contact us.