Why Cash Deals Are Riskier Than You Think

For decades, cash has been the default for local marketplace transactions. Meet up, hand over the bills, take the item. Simple, right? Not exactly. Here’s why cash deals carry more risk than most people realize.

Counterfeit Bills Are More Common Than You Think

The Bank of Canada pulls millions of dollars in counterfeit bills out of circulation every year. Unless you’re carrying a UV light and a magnifying glass to every meetup, you could easily accept fake money without knowing it.

Cash Makes You a Target

Meeting a stranger with hundreds (or thousands) of dollars in your pocket is inherently dangerous. Robbery during marketplace meetups has been rising across Canadian cities. Criminals specifically target high-value cash transactions.

No Paper Trail Means No Recourse

If the item is defective, stolen, or not as described, you have zero recourse with a cash deal. There’s no transaction record, no dispute process, and no way to get your money back. It’s your word against theirs.

The Smarter Alternative

Digital escrow solves every one of these problems. With LockNDeal, funds are held securely until both parties confirm the deal. No counterfeit risk, no robbery risk, and a complete transaction record with built-in dispute resolution. It’s how local commerce should work in 2026.

Related: how escrow works for private sales in Canada and where to meet safely in the GTA.