At Clutch, we’re committed to making car buying secure, transparent, and fully online. Unfortunately, scammers have been impersonating Clutch on Facebook Marketplace, using fake listings, emails, and payment requests to trick Canadians into sending money — and even personal information.

We want to be absolutely clear:

• This scam isn’t the result of any security issue with Clutch
• Clutch does not sell vehicles on Facebook Marketplace
• We do not store or ship vehicles for private individuals
• We never request Interac e-Transfers or QR code payments by email
• We never ask for your driver’s licence via Gmail or third-party messages

If you’ve come across a listing or message that seems suspicious, here’s how the scam works — and what you should do next.

How the Facebook Marketplace Scam Works

Scammers typically follow a five-step process to impersonate Clutch and gain your trust:

Step 1: A fake car listing is posted on Facebook Marketplace

The listing features a used vehicle at an unusually low price. The photos are made to look casual and realistic — typically taken in a driveway or residential area. The description usually asks interested buyers to email the seller directly, often to a Gmail address.

Step 2: The seller replies with a personal story and claims the car is with Clutch

After reaching out, you receive an email response with a convincing backstory. The “seller” may:

• Say they recently moved to another province
• Explain they are dealing with a family emergency
• Claim they no longer need the car and want a quick sale
• Provide photos of their driver's licence to prove their identity

They’ll then claim that the car is already with Clutch, and that:

• Clutch is handling delivery and paperwork
• The car will be delivered to your door in 2–3 days
• You’ll get 5 days to inspect the car before making a final decision

These statements are completely false. Clutch does not store or ship vehicles for private individuals, and we do not coordinate any sales from Facebook Marketplace.

Step 3: A fake “Clutch Payments Department” sends you an invoice

Once the scammer has gained your trust, you receive an official-looking email from an address like clutch@payment-department.live. The message includes:

• A fake invoice with Clutch branding
• An order number and delivery info
• Instructions to send payment — typically via Interac e-Transfer or QR code

The email often claims the payment is fully refundable, and that your vehicle is already en route.

Step 4: You’re asked to provide ID to ‘register your Clutch account’

To further legitimize the scam, the fraudster may request:

• A photo of your driver’s licence (front and back)
• A selfie
• Your full name, address, and date of birth

They claim this is needed to complete your Clutch registration or verify your identity.

But in reality, this information is being collected for identity theft. In some cases, scammers may reuse victims’ IDs to impersonate them in future scams — potentially showing your ID to other buyers to “prove” they’re a real person.

Step 5: You’re instructed to pay via QR code at the post office

Some victims have reported a newer scam variant that bypasses e-transfer entirely. Instead, the scammer tells you to go to a Canada Post location and:

1. Present a QR code sent via email
   
2. Tell the cashier you want to deposit a large sum of money using “Canada Pay In Person”
   
3. Pay by debit or cash
   
4. Watch as your name and birthdate appear on the screen (falsely confirming legitimacy)
   

This method is designed to feel secure — but it’s completely fraudulent. The funds are routed to the scammer, and your money is gone.

🚩 Red Flags to Watch For

Here’s a quick reference table of what to look out for — and what Clutch actually does.

[table]

What To Do If You’re Targeted

If you suspect you’re dealing with a scammer:

1. Stop all communication immediately
   
2. Do not send any money or documents
   
3. Report the listing to Facebook
   
4. If you’ve sent money, contact your bank right away
   
5. File a fraud report with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
   
6. Forward all details and screenshots to support@clutch.ca so our team can investigate and report it
   

Help Us Stop the Spread

We are actively reporting scam activity and working with online platforms to have fraudulent listings and accounts removed. But we also rely on help from the community.

If you see a suspicious listing or message using Clutch’s name:

• Report it on Facebook Marketplace
  
• Send it to our team
  
• Share this article to raise awareness
  

When in Doubt, Reach Out

If something feels off — or you want to confirm if a vehicle, message, or email is legitimate — please contact us directly.

📧 Email: support@clutch.ca

🌐 Website: www.clutch.ca

Clutch is committed to making car buying secure and trustworthy. If you’re ever unsure, we’re here to help.