Pause. Verify. Then transact.

Inspect and test the item before paying. Compare the price with other local listings and ask for original receipts, serial numbers, and ownership records when appropriate.

Meet in daylight in a busy place, bring another person, limit personal information, and leave if the location or story changes unexpectedly.

Check your own bank account before releasing an item. A payment screenshot, email, text, or “pending” notice is not proof that funds arrived.

Do not refund an overpayment, pay a buyer’s courier, buy a requested report from an unfamiliar link, or share any verification code. Confirm an e-Transfer is a deposit—not a request for money.

Match the 17-character VIN on the vehicle, registration, and listing. Ask for photo ID and compare the seller’s name with the current registration.

Run the free ICBC status and CPIC stolen-vehicle searches, check for liens, review history, and get an independent mechanical inspection. Complete transfer documents at an Autoplan broker.

Match the Hull Identification Number, licence or official number, motor serial, trailer VIN, and seller documents. Search boats, motors, and trailers through CPIC and check B.C. liens.

A Pleasure Craft Licence helps identify a boat but Transport Canada states it is not proof of ownership. Use a written bill of sale and consider an independent marine survey.

View the exact unit before sending money or sensitive records. Verify the advertiser’s name and authority with the owner, property manager, brokerage, strata, or another independent source.

Watch for copied photos, unusually low rent, refusal to show the unit, urgency, overseas-only contacts, application fees, or requests for deposits before the property can be verified.

Verify ownership or agency authority, legal company names, licences, zoning, permitted use, operating costs, measurements, renewal terms, and improvement allowances independently.

Use an appropriate commercial broker, lawyer, accountant, inspector, or other professional for material commitments. Tri-Cities Board does not negotiate or review commercial leases.

Avoid gift cards, cryptocurrency, wires to unknown parties, cheque overpayments, payment-release fees, and requests to move communication immediately to another platform.

Remote transactions carry extra risk. Use a payment method with appropriate protections, verify delivery and identity independently, and keep tracking, receipts, messages, and transaction records.

Use Report on the listing or the conversation. Explain what happened and include dates, payment instructions, links, identifiers, and relevant messages. Do not publicly accuse or confront someone.

Tri-Cities Board preserves relevant report records for Admin review. Administrators—not automated scoring—decide whether to contact users, remove content, restrict accounts, or refer serious concerns to police.