A WOMAN’S bank account has been drained after she tried to sell a smartphone online.

Victoria Garcia Gomez, who lives in Toronto, Ontario, said she was scammed after using an online classified advertising website to offload an unwanted Google Pixel 7.

Garcia Gomez used the Canadian online classified advertising website Kijiji to list her phone, she told CTV News.

She listed the phone and said someone contacted her with a link to help facilitate the transaction.

Little did she know the link would be used to swipe $12,000 from her bank account with Bank of Montreal.

“I have no knowledge, nothing of Kijiji,” she said. “This is the first time I used Kijiji.”

She said the buyer told her they would send her cash if she sent the phone.

She added that the buyer told her she could expect an email from Kijiji to complete the transaction and that she should enter her banking information in the link provided and send it back.

Almost immediately after she did this, she said the Bank of Montreal got in touch with her to let her know her accounts were being drained.

Garcia Gomez signed into her bank account and said she saw her balance falling before her eyes and realized she had been scammed.

Kijiji told CTV News that it “does not offer third-party payment or delivery services, so users should not click external links…when interacting with other users on the platform.”

A cyber security professor also advised CTV News viewers to never click on a link or enter private information unless they know the person and know that the company is reputable.

VICTORY FOR VICTORIA

A spokesperson from Bank of Montreal declined to discuss Victoria’s situation with CTV News for privacy reasons.

The bank said it’s important to remember that “protecting accounts is a partnership between customers and their bank.”

And finally, after five months, Victoria saw her money again.

“CTV’s awesome,” she proclaimed after the full $12,000 was returned to her.

Scammers can impersonate officials from banks or government departments to trick unsuspecting victims.

Refrain from sharing personal information such as your:

Users should be especially aware of any notices that claim to expect money from you or requests for money via tax returns.