Frauds, Scams, and Illegal Activity on TheCannon.ca
TheCannon is a free service provided to students by the Central Student Association and the Guelph Campus Co-operative. The website is run by a small number of staff who oversee day-to-day operations including editorial content, technical support, promotions, and liaising with the Website Operating Committee.
As part of our commitment to University of Guelph students, TheCannon allows users to post classifieds for a variety of items, including textbooks and rental housing.
While we strive to address issues of fraud and improper site use, the sheer volume of daily classifieds means we cannot moderate disputes between buyers and sellers or make judgements in such cases.
TheCannon, its staff and owners do not review or confirm the veracity of any claim made in its classifieds section. Users are responsible for adhering to TheCannon’s Terms and Conditions, and evaluating the credibility of postings independently. Violations of the Terms and Conditions may result in account termination.
TheCannon works with law enforcement to combat fraud and illegal activity. If you encounter a suspicious or illegal posting, please report it using the feedback form on our website, or email [email protected]. If you believe you are a victim of fraud, we strongly encourage you to contact the Guelph Police Service and the RCMP Anti-Fraud Centre.
Vigilance and caution are your best defense against unscrupulous posters. If a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is. Below, we outline some best practices to help protect yourself while using classifieds sites like TheCannon.
Best practices for accounts and personal information
- TheCannon and its staff will never ask for your password or account information. Do not reveal your password or account information to a third party.
- Change your password every two months to keep your account secure.
- Avoid auto-saving your username and password on public or shared computers.
Best practices for buying or selling classified items
Beware of Common Scam Tactics:
- Overpayment Scams: Scammers may send an e-transfer for more than the asking price and request a refund. These payments are often reversed or fraudulent. Never refund overpayments.
- Third-Party Payments: TheCannon does not partner with PayPal or any other companies for “Secure online payment.” Any such claims are fraudulent.
Personal and Financial Safety:
- Do not share sensitive information, such as your Social Insurance Number or bank details, with buyers or sellers.
- Never wire funds to a seller. Legitimate sellers will not pressure you to use money transfer services.
Transaction Tips:
- Meet buyers and sellers in-person in well-lit, public places.
- Verify the item’s condition before completing the transaction.
- Record transaction details (like the price, and the person’s contact information)
- Bring a friend if you feel unsure about meeting someone alone.
- Never agree to involve third-parties or intermediaries in a payment scheme.
- Do not finalize a transaction until you are completely satisfied with all the terms.
Trust Your Instincts:
- If something feels suspicious or rushed, take a step back. Scams often rely on urgency to manipulate victims.
Best practices for rental housing
- Never give out any personal or financial information (e.g. social insurance number, bank account number) by email or over the phone.
- Never agree to wire funds to a seller. A legitimate seller will not pressure you to use a money transfer company only.
- Never agree to pay a deposit to set up a viewing of a rental unit.
- Never accept payments exceeding the agreed-upon rent amount – this is a common scam.
- Never agree to involve third parties or intermediaries in a payment scheme.
- Independently verify a landlord’s name, street address, and telephone number. If possible, ask for references.
- We strongly encourage users to deal only with renters or buyers local to them. Proceed with extreme caution when dealing with renters or landlords from outside the country.
- When receiving payment, wait for the cheque or money order to clear the bank before proceeding,
- Don’t give in to pressure to close a deal quickly. Scams depend on decisions made in haste.
- We strongly encourage users to inspect a property before signing a lease agreement.
- Review the terms of a lease agreement thoroughly before signing. Ask questions about any terms that are unclear to you.
- Learn your rights as a tenant. The Landlord Tenant Board (www.ltb.gov.on.ca), legal resource centres and other agencies can provide information how Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act applies to you.