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Recognising and avoiding transaction fraud
The most common frauds in online transactions follow a small number of recognisable patterns. Knowing them, and keeping the transaction inside Rbcpay, removes almost all of the risk.
The single most important rule
Never move a transaction outside Rbcpay
If either party asks you to pay directly, ship before funds are confirmed, or continue the deal over private messaging, stop and contact us.
Payments outside Rbcpay are not protected
Payments made outside a Rbcpay transaction carry none of the protection described on this site.
When in doubt, ask first
It is far easier to prevent a loss than to recover one, so raise a concern before money or goods move.
Common patterns to watch for
Fraud in a transaction almost always relies on one party being rushed into acting outside the agreed process.
How to protect yourself
- Fake payment confirmations sent as a message or screenshot
- Pressure to ship before the funds are confirmed
- Requests to pay off-platform for a discount or faster process
- Impersonation of Rbcpay through lookalike sites or invoices
- Overpayment followed by a request to refund the difference
- A late message saying the bank details have changed
Confirm funds in your account
Only trust confirmation shown inside your own Rbcpay account, never a message or screenshot.
Keep everything on platform
Keep every part of the negotiation and the payment inside the transaction you opened.
Write the terms down
Agree the specification and inspection terms in writing before any money is paid.
Verify any change
Check any change to addresses or payment details independently before acting on it.
Reporting suspected fraud
If something about a transaction does not feel right, report it before you send money or ship goods.
- Email escrow@rbcpay.com with your transaction reference
- Call +1-519-993-2775 if the matter is urgent
- Include anything you have been sent, unedited
- Do not reply to the sender before you contact us
Treat urgency as a warning sign rather than a reason to hurry.
Keeping your account safe
Most problems start outside our systems, with a message that looks convincing enough to act on quickly.
Log in by typing the address yourself, check the information against your own account, and contact us on +1-519-993-2775 if anything does not match.
Fraud questions
Someone is asking me to pay outside Rbcpay. What should I do?
Do not pay. Report it to escrow@rbcpay.com with your transaction reference. Payments made outside a Rbcpay transaction are not protected.
How do I know a message really came from Rbcpay?
Do not act on the message itself. Log into your account by typing the address yourself and check whether the same information appears there.
Can Rbcpay hold a transaction while a concern is reviewed?
Yes. A transaction can be held while a concern is investigated, as set out in the Terms and Conditions.
Not sure about a transaction?
Ask us before you send money or ship anything. Our team would rather answer a question than investigate a loss.