The Ultimate List of Buy and Sell & Online Marketplace Scams

(And How to Avoid Them)

Because Canadians are polite — but we’re not suckers.

1. The “I’ll Overpay You” Scam

How it works:  

A buyer offers more than your asking price.

Which sounds great… until they ask you to refund the “extra” money or send it to their “mover.”

Red flag:  

No Canadian has ever willingly overpaid for anything. Not even Timbits.

How to avoid:  

If someone offers more than you asked, block them and go live your life.

2. The Fake e‑Transfer Scam

How it works:  

You get an email saying “Your e‑Transfer is pending.”

Spoiler: it’s not.

It’s a fake notification designed to trick you into handing over the item.

Red flag:  

The email looks like it was designed in Microsoft Paint.

How to avoid:  

Only trust transfers that show up in your actual banking app.

3. The “I’m Out of Town” Scam

How it works:  

The buyer claims they’re away for work, in the military, or on a spiritual retreat in Banff.

They want to send a courier.

They want you to pay the courier fee.

They promise to reimburse you.

Red flag:  

No one in the history of Canada has ever hired a courier to pick up a used couch.

How to avoid:  

If they can’t meet in person, it’s a no.

4. The “Code Verification” Scam

How it works:  

The buyer says they need to “verify you’re real” and sends a 6‑digit code.

If you give it to them, they hijack your phone number.

Red flag:  

You’re the one selling the item — why are you being verified?

How to avoid:  

Never share verification codes. With anyone. Ever.

5. The “Deposit First” Scam

How it works:  

A seller asks for a deposit to “hold” the item.

You send it.

They vanish like a raccoon when you turn on the porch light.

Red flag:  

They refuse to meet or show the item in person.

How to avoid:  

Never send deposits to strangers.

If they want a deposit, they can sell it to someone else.

6. The “Too Good to Be True” Deal

How it works:  

A brand‑new iPhone for $200.

A purebred puppy for $50.

A PS5 for the price of a sandwich.

Red flag:  

Your brain whispering, “This seems suspicious.”

How to avoid:  

If it feels like a miracle, it’s probably a scam.

7. The Fake Pickup Driver

How it works:  

You arrange a sale.

A “friend” or “driver” shows up instead.

They rush you, distract you, or try to pay with a fake transfer.

Red flag:  

They act like they’re late for a flight.

How to avoid:  

Only hand over items after confirming payment yourself.

8. The “Rental Property That Doesn’t Exist” Scam

How it works:  

A gorgeous apartment for a suspiciously low price.

The landlord is “out of the country.”

They want first and last month’s rent upfront.

Red flag:  

The photos look like they were stolen from a real estate magazine.

How to avoid:  

Never pay for a rental you haven’t seen in person.

9. The “Broken Item After Pickup” Scam

How it works:  

You sell something.

Hours later, the buyer messages saying it’s broken and demands a refund.

Red flag:  

They suddenly become a professional engineer diagnosing imaginary problems.

How to avoid:  

State clearly: “All sales final.”  

And meet in public so there’s no drama.

10. The “Fake Shipping Label” Scam

How it works:  

The buyer sends you a prepaid shipping label.

You ship the item.

The label was stolen or fraudulent.

Your package gets seized.

Red flag:  

They insist on shipping even though they live 10 minutes away.

How to avoid:  

If they want it shipped, they can buy it through a platform with built‑in protection.

How to Avoid ALL Scams

• Meet in public places

• Bring a friend

• Trust your gut

• Never send deposits

• Never share codes

• Confirm payment in your banking app

• Don’t be afraid to say “no thanks”

• Remember: politeness is optional when someone’s trying to scam you