We have identified a phishing tactic targeting Kijiji users. Fraudulent third-party websites are sending fake notices claiming that your Kijiji account is “temporarily restricted” and requiring immediate bank details or payment verification within 24 hours to keep your account active.
Kijiji does not endorse, send, or require these third-party verification screens.
Key Facts: Official Kijiji Identity Verification
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Optional Feature: Identity verification on Kijiji is 100% optional. Kijiji will never restrict, suspend, or block your account for choosing not to verify your profile.
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Initiated Only by You: Legitimate identity verification (such as obtaining an Interac Verified badge) is a process started strictly by you from within your main Kijiji account settings.
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No Third-Party Redirect Limits: Kijiji will never force you onto a third-party website, SMS link, or email prompt with a tight countdown window (e.g., “verify within 24 hours”) to avoid account suspension.
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No Banking Credentials Stored: Official Interac verification securely connects through your participating financial institution or government ID. Kijiji never collects, stores, or asks for your banking PINs, credit card numbers, or full payment credentials to “activate” an account.
How to Spot the Scam
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Fake Warning Messages: Prompts stating “Your Kijiji account is temporarily restricted” on non-Kijiji websites or external links.
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Urgent Demands: Statements demanding bank details or credit card information within a set timeframe to “remove restrictions”.
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Suspicious URLs: Web pages that look like Kijiji but do not have an official domain (e.g.,
www.kijiji.ca) in your browser’s address bar.
What to Do If You See This Page
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Do NOT enter your details: Never input bank accounts, credit card numbers, or login credentials on these external pages.
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Close the window immediately: Navigate directly to www.kijiji.ca to manage your account safely.
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Check your official Account Settings: If you wish to voluntarily add an Interac Verified badge to your profile, log into your account directly on Kijiji and go to your Account Settings.
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Report Phishing: If you submitted details on a fake site, change your Kijiji password immediately and contact your financial institution right away.
