Kijiji Identity Theft Scam Alert

Kijiji Identity Theft Scam Alert

Most recently the Windsor Police Financial Crimes Branch has received an increase in complaints by citizens reporting a number of incidents with Kijiji.

In each occasion, an ad has requested that the person submit their personal information for either a home rental application, or a job application.

Once the information has been provided the individual collecting the information has attempted to open credit cards in the name of the applicant.

Once the applicant has replied to the ad it has been taken down.

If it is a rental property the request to pay the first and last rent has been through Western Union.

It is unknown if there is a single individual responsible for these incidents or multiple parties. It is also unknown as to the true location of these parties as multiple email addresses have been used.

The financial crimes branch would like to remind the public that the provision of your personal information to unknown persons can have drastic effects upon you. A person determined on committing a fraud has the ability to hide behind email addresses that sound legitimate and real. These email?s containing the citizens personal information can be routed to anyplace in the world and can be used for a number of illegal activities.

Kijiji and other websites serve a legitimate purpose in connecting persons for the exchange of goods and services. The Financial crimes branch would remind the public to exercise caution in providing personal information to any individual over the telephone, at the front door, or over the internet.

For more information please feel free to contact the Windsor Police Financial Crimes Branch.

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