Get Paid & Deposit Money Scams (Phishing)

Buy, Sell, Trust and Safety
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Safety Warning: Kijiji will never ask you to enter your credit card number, CVV/card code, or expiration date to receive a payment or deposit money from a sale.

If a buyer sends you a link claiming you need to input your card details to “accept” their payment, stop immediately. This is a phishing scam designed to steal your financial information.

How the Scam Works

This scam specifically targets sellers. The scammer will contact you about your listing and pretend they want to buy it immediately. Instead of paying in person or using standard methods, they will attempt to redirect you off-platform.

1. The Fake Link (The Kijiji Look-Alike)

The scammer will send you a link via SMS, WhatsApp, or email.

  • They will claim they have already paid or ready to pay for your item using a “Kijiji Secure Deposit,” “Kijiji Delivery,” or “Kijiji Pay” service.

  • The link will lead to a highly convincing webpage that mimics the Kijiji branding, colors, and logos.

  • To gain your trust, the fake page will often display a photo and the exact title of your listed item.

2. The “Deposit” Trap

Once you are on the fake website, a prompt will appear claiming you need to “verify your identity” or “deposit the funds” into your bank account. To do this, they will ask you to enter:

  • Your Credit Card Number

  • The Card Security Code (CVV/CVC)

  • The Expiration Date

  • (Occasionally) your bank login credentials or a one-time SMS verification code.

3. The Harvest

This page does not deposit money. It is a harvesting tool. The moment you click “submit,” your credit card details are instantly sent directly to the scammer, who will immediately attempt to make unauthorized purchases online.

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Urgency: The buyer is in a rush and insists on paying through a link rather than cash or an Interac e-Transfer.

  • The Domain Name is Wrong: While the page looks like Kijiji, the website URL in your browser bar will be incorrect (e.g., kijiji-secure-deposit-payment.xyz or kijijideposit-ca.com instead of kijiji.ca).

  • Asking for Credit Card Details to Receive Money: You never need to provide your credit card’s security code (CVV) or expiration date to get paid.

What to Do If You Encounter This Scam

If you have not entered your information:

  1. Break off contact with the buyer immediately.

  2. Report the user directly on Kijiji using the “Report Ad” or “Report User” button.

  3. Do not click any further links they send you.

If you entered your credit card details:

  1. Contact your bank immediately: Call the number on the back of your card to report fraudulent activity. Ask them to freeze your card and issue a replacement.

  2. Change your passwords: If you entered any account login details, update your Kijiji and banking passwords immediately.

  3. File a report: Report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC).

Would like to report fake buyer