Safely Buy and Sell with a Stranger

Online marketplaces have their benefits. They’re fantastic alternatives to purchasing from retail shops, and they may also be a source of extra money by selling some of your old items. However, when conducting transactions online that require meeting in person to trade or exchange cash, it’s important to be cautious. It’s dangerous to deal with strangers, but it doesn’t have to be. By practicing the following procedures, you can keep yourself safe and aware.

Meet In a Public Place

Find a Safe Trade Station location in your area and arrange a meeting there. These locations are often law enforcement stations that would deter scammers. If you don’t have a safe trading location nearby you, consider meeting at a shopping mall, coffee shop, grocery store or restaurant where you’d find people around. These places are also more likely to have video surveillance on their premises.

EXTRA TIP: Tell a Family Member or Friend

Tell a family member or friend about your meeting and give them the details as far as time, location, and with whom you will be meeting. Always ensure you have a phone with you so you can inform your confidant that the transaction is completed and you’re ok so they don’t worry.

Meet During the Day

Meeting in the daytime not only allows you to clearly see the product but also the person. This is especially important if meeting alone. Nighttime puts you at a disadvantage as it’s harder to see and assess both product and sellers.

Don’t Provide Personal Information

It’s nice to offer your first name so you can locate the individual you’re meeting with and keep the transaction polite, but you don’t need to give out any information that isn’t necessary. There is no need for a last name, bank account, or credit card numbers. Meeting in a public place is also safer, as you don’t have to give your home address to strangers.

The exception to this rule is if you are buying or selling a vehicle of some sort. If that’s the case, then you should meet in a public place where everyone can make copies of valid identification documents. If you’re going to be transacting with large amounts of money, it would be best to do so at a bank where you can verify and exchange cashier’s checks.

Have Someone With You

You may not be able to avoid meeting at your home when you’re selling furniture or other large items. It doesn’t make sense, or is just too difficult for you to transport the object to a public location. In these instances, it is essential to have another family member or friend with you to maintain safety. It makes sense that if someone is transporting furniture, they will have someone assisting them while doing so. Only one group/potential buyer should be at your home at any given time. Don’t allow access to anywhere else in your house except where the product you are selling is so they can view and move it.

Be Aware of Red Flags

There are many red flags to be aware of when trading with strangers online.

Carefully Review Profile

Take a look at the other party’s profile and read through any negative comments left by other individuals for signs of trouble.

Inflated Check Amounts

If you receive a check for more than the agreed upon sum, it could be an indication of fraud. Most scammers ask that you return the difference in cash because they either don’t have funds or the check itself is forged. Always call the number of the issuing bank that is available online when you’re given a money order or cashier’s check. Don’t ever call a number that the buyer provides to you.

Trust Your Gut

Trust your instincts and cancel any meeting or walk away if you’re feeling unsure, wary or afraid in any way. No purchase is worth putting your safety at risk.

Ask for Photos

Before committing to a purchase, ensure that the seller has the product available and is willing to provide photos of it. In this way, you can decide if it is worth your money or not. If you’re having a difficult time receiving a photo, given that almost everyone these days has a smart phone with a camera, take that as a red flag.

Report Scammers

In the event that you do get scammed, immediately report the scammer. Some trade platforms offer the ability to report the scammer directly or even provide transaction protection. Contact the online marketplace you used to see what resources they have available in case you fall victim to a scam.

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All the facts you’ll need to avoid fraud are included in our comprehensive Cybersecurity Awareness collection of articles and tools.