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Avoiding scams

Do...

  • Keep things local, meet people face to face, see the item and exchange money.
  • For your personal safety, meet in well lit public places.
  • Take someone with you, or at least tell a friend where you’re going.
  • If you’re looking to buy something expensive, always meet with the seller to view the item first.
  • Check the item to make sure you’re happy with it before parting with any money.
  • Use your common sense. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
  • If you’re a seller, be wary of requests to use money transfer services like Western Union or MoneyGram. These services aren't meant for sending money to someone you don't know and are commonly used by fraudsters.

 

Don’t...

  • Send money (cash, cheques or direct bank transfers) if you haven't seen the item. Go see the seller face to face and inspect the item. Video calls are also a great alternative and allow for social distancing. At the very least request photos of the item with proof they exist, i.e. a note with the seller's name and the date next to the item.
  • Send items before receiving payment.
  • Carry large sums of money with you when meeting seller's face to face to buy.
  • Once you’re ready to proceed with a purchase, either go to the bank with the seller to make the payment or arrange to meet somewhere safe with the money.
  • Buy tickets to events without first checking you will be able to use the tickets

 

Read more advice at http://www.getsafeonline.org/. If you are unsure about something or would like some safety advice, please contact us via the Live Chat below.