Kijiji Scam Safety Checklist
Check the Deal
Is the price way below market value with no good reason?- Is the seller pressuring you to act quickly?
- Are they asking for unusual methods (escrow, off-site payment)?
Verify the Website
- Use Google Safe Browsing to check the URL.
- Check Whois: domain age, owner, and contact info.
- Payment pages should be SSL-secured (URL starts with
https). - Search the company online—look for complaints or suspiciously few results.
- Check for proper contact info and professional spelling/grammar.
- Review return/refund policies—real sites provide clear instructions.
Spot Scam Emails & Messages
- Suspicious or shortened links? Don’t click!
- Vague, generic, or missing subject lines? Be cautious.
- Excessive exclamation marks or over-the-top enthusiasm?
- Requests for personal info (SIN, banking, passwords)?
- Emails that don’t match the sender or domain? Red flag.
- Promises that sound too good to be true? Probably a scam.
Direct Transaction Red Flags
- Excuses to avoid in-person meetings?
- Pushed toward third-party “safe” payment services?
- Sudden requests for money (family emergencies, accidents)?
Investment Scams
- Guarantees of profit? Never trust it.
- Complex, jargon-heavy opportunities with buzzwords? Be skeptical.
- Urgent or time-sensitive pressure? Take a step back.
- Unregistered financial advisors or poor advice? Avoid immediately.
Quick Rule of Thumb
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Always verify, think twice, and protect yourself before taking action.