RENFREW — The Renfrew Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) along with several other detachments are investigating complaints into a business in Renfrew County accepting payments and not providing the goods paid for. Consumers are often looking for a great deal, but some deals are truly too good to be true. The old saying buyer beware is valid.
To protect yourself from businesses that may be less than credible, the OPP suggests following some, or all, of these best practices:
* Contact the Better Business Bureau, Consumer Affairs Office or the Competition Bureau about a business or seller you wish to deal with. Check to see if any complaints have been lodged against the business.
* Do not send the full amount of payment for the product or service before receiving anything. Reputable businesses ask for a down payment, not the full amount up front.
* When buying anything online keep copies of all communications and transactions. Only pay using secure sites.
* Do not give your personal information including credit card numbers to someone you don’t know. Only provide credit card numbers to someone you trust and when absolutely necessary. Consider other payment options.
Getting help and reporting a scam: Contact your local Consumer Affairs Office or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. If you have suffered a loss because of someone’s dishonesty or deception contact your local police service. For the OPP call 1-88-310-1122 anywhere in Ontario.
