Avoiding Scams When Selling Locally in Kingston: Complete 2026 Guide
The only thing worse than not selling your item is selling it and then realizing you got completely ripped off.
You found a buyer. Great. Now comes the part that keeps sellers up at night: is this person trying to scam me?
The bad news: scams are more sophisticated than ever in 2026. Fake payment confirmations look real. Scammers have scripts. They know what to say.
The good news: every scam follows a pattern. Learn the patterns, and you'll never get fooled.
I've sold hundreds of items in Kingston. I've been targeted by every scam in the book. I've had people try to pay with fake e-transfers, send couriers with fake cash, and use sob stories to get stuff for free. I've learned the hard way so you don't have to.
Here's exactly how to avoid scams when selling locally in Kingston.
First: The 2026 Scam Reality
What's changed:
- Fake payment confirmations look identical to real ones
- AI-generated profiles are harder to spot
- Voice cloning scammers call pretending to be buyers
- Fake courier services are everywhere
- Overpayment scams are still going strong
The golden rule: If something feels off, it is. Trust your gut. Block and move on.
The Most Common Scams in Kingston
Scam #1: The Fake E-Transfer
How it works:
Buyer says they'll e-transfer payment. They send a fake email that looks like a real Interac confirmation. It says "funds held until you provide tracking number" or "money deposited pending shipment." You hand over item. Money never arrives.
What the fake email looks like:
- From address that's close but wrong (interac@payments-security.com vs real interac.ca)
- Poor grammar or odd phrasing
- Urgency ("release funds by providing tracking")
- Requests for personal information
How to avoid it:
- Only accept e-transfers that appear in your account instantly with Auto-Deposit
- Enable Auto-Deposit (no security questions, money goes straight in)
- Wait until money is IN YOUR ACCOUNT, not just email confirmation
- Check your bank app, not email
The 2026 reality: Scammers send convincing emails. Your bank app is the only truth.
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Scam #2: The Overpayment Scam
How it works:
Buyer sends e-transfer for MORE than your price. Then they say "oops, I overpaid, can you e-transfer back the difference?" You send difference. Original payment was fake or stolen. You're out the difference plus your item.
Variation: Buyer sends fake cheque for too much, asks for refund of difference. Cheque bounces weeks later.
How to avoid it:
- Never accept more than asking price
- Never send money back to a buyer
- Refund only through original payment method, after funds clear
- If they "overpaid," tell them to cancel and resend correct amount
Simple rule: Overpayment = scam. Every time.
Scam #3: The "Courier Will Pick Up" Scam
How it works:
Buyer says they're out of town but their courier will pick up the item. They'll send payment plus courier fees. They send fake payment confirmation. Courier never comes (or does, and takes item, and you have no money).
Variation: They ask for your email to "verify" something. Now they have your email for phishing.
How to avoid it:
- Local pickup only. Always.
- Cash on pickup or e-transfer that clears BEFORE item leaves your hands
- No exceptions for out-of-town buyers
- If they can't come themselves, they can't buy
Scam #4: The "I'll Send a Deposit" Scam
How it works:
Buyer wants you to hold the item. They'll send a deposit. They send fake e-transfer confirmation. You hold item for a week. Real buyers pass. They never show. You lost real sales.
How to avoid it:
- No holds without cash deposit IN YOUR HAND
- "First come, first served"
- "I don't hold items, but message me when you're on your way"
Scam #5: The Sob Story
How it works:
Buyer messages with a heartbreaking story. Sick child. No money. Can you do a lower price? Can you deliver? Can you wait for payday? They play on your emotions.
Sometimes it's real. Often it's a script.
How to handle it:
- Stick to your price
- Stick to pickup only
- If you want to help, offer a discount AT PICKUP after they arrive
- Don't change your terms
Scam #6: The Fake Profile
How it works:
Brand new Facebook profile. No friends. No photos. Created yesterday. They message about your item. Something feels off.
How to avoid it:
- Check buyer profile before responding
- If profile is new and empty, be suspicious
- Ask for more photos? They won't have any
- Suggest police station meetup. Real buyers agree. Scammers disappear.
Scam #7: The "Wrong Number" Text Scam
How it works:
You list an item. You get a text: "Hi, I'm interested in your item but I'm at work. Is it still available? Can you text my wife at [different number]?" You text wife. Wife tries to scam you.
How to avoid it:
- Keep all communication on the platform
- Don't text outside numbers
- If they can't use Messenger or Fliku chat, they're not serious
Scam #8: The Stolen Item Reseller
How it works:
Someone buys your item. Later, police show up. Item was stolen (not by you). You have to prove you didn't know. Headache.
How to protect yourself:
- Take photo of buyer's license plate (optional but smart)
- Screenshot their profile
- Keep messages
- Meet in public with cameras
Scam #9: The Return Scam
How it works:
Buyer takes item. Days later, they message saying it's broken. They want refund. They return a different (broken) item and keep yours.
How to avoid it:
- All sales final
- Let them inspect BEFORE paying
- No refunds, no returns
- Meet in person, test together
Scam #10: The Distraction Theft
How it works:
Multiple buyers show up. One distracts you while another grabs something. Happens at meetups, garage sales, even coffee shops.
How to avoid it:
- Bring a friend
- Keep item in your control until money is in hand
- Don't let them "just look" while you handle payment
- One person at a time handles item
The Safe Seller Checklist
Before the sale:
- Check buyer profile (real? history? friends?)
- Communicate only on platform
- Suggest safe meetup location
- Bring a friend if possible
- Charge your phone
During the sale:
- Verify payment BEFORE handing over item
- Cash: count it
- E-transfer: check BANK APP, not email
- Keep item in your control
- Trust your gut
After the sale:
- Delete listing
- Block if anything felt wrong
- Rate buyer on Fliku
- Text friend you're safe
Safe Meetup Locations in Kingston
Gold standard:
Kingston Police Headquarters
- 705 Division Street
- 24/7 cameras
- Designated safe exchange zone
- Police presence
Coffee shops with parking:
Starbucks
- 1549 Division Street
- 1975 Gardiners Road
Tim Hortons
- 1550 Division Street (24 hours)
- 1300 Princess Street
- 1995 Gardiners Road
Malls and plazas:
Cataraqui Centre
- 945 Gardiners Road
- Food court (indoor)
- Cameras everywhere
RioCan Kingston Centre
- 1037 Gardiners Road
- Busy, well-lit
Libraries:
Central Library
- 130 Johnson Street
- Daytime only
- Cameras, staff
Payment Methods Ranked by Safety
Safest:
- Cash - in your hand, counted, done
- Fliku Pay - verified, tracked, instant
- E-transfer with Auto-Deposit - check bank app
Risky:
- E-transfer without Auto-Deposit - security questions can be hacked
- PayPal - buyers can reverse charges
NEVER ACCEPT:
- Cheque - can bounce weeks later
- Certified cheque - can be fake
- Money order - can be fake
- Cryptocurrency - irreversible, volatile
- Gift cards - 100% scam
Red Flag Phrases to Watch For
If a buyer says any of these, be suspicious:
- "I'm out of town but my courier will pick up"
- "I'll send extra for shipping"
- "Can you send money back for the overpayment?"
- "I can't come today but here's a deposit"
- "My son/daughter will pick up"
- "I need this for my sick child"
- "Can you deliver? I'll pay extra"
- "I don't have Facebook, can you text me?"
- "Is this still available?" (then ghosting is normal, but repeated pattern matters)
What Scammers Look For
Scammers target sellers who:
- Have lots of high-value items (you look like a reseller)
- Seem desperate ("moving sale, must go")
- Are new to selling (no ratings, no history)
- List prices too good to be true (they think you're naive)
- Meet at night or at their house
Don't be that seller.
If You Get Scammed: What to Do
Step 1: Stop all communication
Step 2: Contact your bank immediately (if payment involved)
Step 3: Report to Kingston Police
- Non-emergency: 613-549-4660
- Online reporting for some scams
Step 4: Report on the platform
- Fliku: use report function
- Facebook: report profile
Step 5: Warn others
- Post in local Facebook groups (without doxxing)
- Share details of scam (how it worked, not personal info)
Step 6: Accept and learn
- It happens. Don't beat yourself up.
- Be more careful next time.
Why Fliku Is Safer Than Marketplace
Fliku's safety features:
- Verified profiles - users confirm identity
- User ratings - see seller/buyer history
- In-app messaging - records everything
- Safe meetup suggestions - built-in
- Live location sharing - optional during meetups
- Dispute resolution - if something goes wrong
- No anonymous accounts - everyone is someone
Marketplace's problems:
- Anyone can create fake profile in seconds
- No verification
- Scammers thrive
- Meta doesn't care
[Join Fliku Kingston - the safe alternative]
Teaching Buyers to Be Safe Too
As a seller, you can also model good behaviour:
- Suggest police station meetup
- Bring a friend
- Be polite but firm
- Show them item works
- Accept payment visibly
When sellers are professional, buyers learn to be professional too.
FAQ: Avoiding Scams in Kingston
Q: Is e-transfer safe?
A: With Auto-Deposit enabled, yes. Check your BANK APP, not email.
Q: What if they want to meet at their house?
A: No. Public place only. If they refuse, block.
Q: What if they want to meet at night?
A: Kingston Police HQ is open 24/7. Otherwise, daytime only.
Q: How do I spot a fake profile?
A: No friends, new account, no photos, generic name.
Q: What if they send a certified cheque?
A: Fake. Certified cheques can be forged. Cash only.
Q: Should I accept cryptocurrency?
A: No. Too risky. Irreversible.
Q: What if they want my email for e-transfer?
A: Auto-Deposit uses phone number or email. But they don't need your email to send money. Suspicious.
Q: What's the safest place to meet?
A: Kingston Police HQ, 705 Division Street. Designated safe zone.
Q: Can I trust someone with good ratings?
A: On Fliku, yes. Ratings matter. On Marketplace, ratings exist but less reliable.
The Bottom Line
Scammers are everywhere. But they're also lazy. They look for easy targets. Don't be one.
Follow the rules:
- Meet in public
- Check payment before handing over item
- Trust your gut
- Use Fliku for verified buyers
Kingston is a great city with great people. The scammers are the exception, not the rule. Protect yourself and you'll have hundreds of successful sales.
Been targeted by a scammer in Kingston? Share your story below. Warn others.
