Prince Albert RCMP remind area residents to protect themselves from fraud when buying and selling items online.  Recently officers have received reports of fraud connected to online buy or sell groups on social media.  Victims report they are asked to e-transfer a deposit to hold a desired item and once they do the seller blocks contact with them.

The RCMP recommend don’t pay for or send a deposit for an item you haven’t seen, don’t give out personal or banking information to the buyer or seller, take screen shots of the advertisement, the sellers contact information and your communication with them, use common sense remembering if something seems too good to be true it probably is and if something seems suspicious about the buyer or seller trust your instincts and walk away.

If you are a victim of fraud report it to your local police service and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online at www.antifraudcentre.ca or by phone at 1-888-495-8501.