1. Always meet locally and in-person if possible to see the item and exchange money. Don’t send money in advance of receiving items, or send items in advance of receiving payment.
2. Meet buyers/sellers in a well-lit public place.
3. Take someone with you or let someone know where you are going.
4. Do not carry large sums of money with you. If you are looking to buy something expensive then we recommend that you meet with the seller to view the item first and then arrange to return with money for payment if you are happy to continue with the purchase.
5. Always check the item and make sure you are happy with it, before parting with any money.
Other Trading Tips.
Payments/Banking:
Never provide your personal or banking information (e.g. credit card number) to others over the Internet.
Event Tickets:
When buying tickets for events please be aware that some tickets may have terms and conditions printed on them that prohibit or limit the ability of the original buyer to sell them to someone else. Some event tickets, e.g. Glastonbury Festival, may also feature a photograph of the original buyer which may mean that anyone other than the original buyer may be refused entry to the event.
Airline Travel Tickets:
When buying airline tickets we suggest you take the seller's name and ticket number, check the ticket exists and take responsibility yourself for changing the names.
Renting:
Always view properties or prospective tenants in person, try to have another person with you when meeting/viewing, and don’t be afraid to ask to see some kind of identification.
Employment/Jobs:
Find out as much as you can about the prospective employer from independent resources. Be wary of any employer prepared to offer you a job/ an employee prepared to accept a job without meeting you first. If you are an employer, follow up on references and check on their authenticity. Never provide your bank account details when applying for a job. This should only happen once you have accepted an offer and started with the company, and only when you have met your employer in-person and verified their identity through independent resources.
