The vast majority of users of online classifieds are trustworthy and have good intentions, there are, however, Internet predators looking to make a quick buck at someone else’s expense by cheating them or to the extreme to rob a victim of their money or merchandise.
As with everything in life, you are responsible for your actions⌠from looking both ways before crossing the street, to locking the door to your home at night, so also it is a good idea to take precautions when dealing with strangers online and have a crime prevention strategy in place before you list an item or agree to buy an item through an online classified ad. Remain cautious, use your best judgement and common sense when online, just as you would when you are offline in your day-to-day life.
Below are a few common sense safety tips to review before listing a classified ad or meeting a buyer or seller youâve found through the classifieds:
- Read listings carefully, if it sounds too good to be true, most likely itâs a scam.
- Screen the buyer or seller carefully via email or over the telephone by asking questions. Trust your instincts. If you get a bad feeling about the person after contact via email, don’t return the email or if during a telephone conversation you get a bad feeling, hang up. Be sure you feel comfortable about the transaction before you ever set up a meeting.
- Always deal locally and in person. Avoid long distance or overseas transactions.
- Because you are usually going to be dealing with strangers on a online classifieds transaction, be wary about revealing your personal information. Setting up an anonymous email account that you will use only for your online buying or selling will help protect you. Avoid using your name as part of your email address. Sellers remember, the email address that is associated with your listing is private. If you are contacted by a prospective buyer and the buyer makes a “too good to be true” offer or in some other way the offer seems “strange” then don’t respond to the offer. If you don’t respond then your email address is never revealed. Only respond to serious offers.
- Do not include your name or home address in your listings. If you are not comfortable with only an email address, use only your phone number and first name. If and when it comes time for you to make a sale or purchase, you can then exchange more information with the other party.
- Never give out financial information, such as, bank account number, social security number, credit card number, etc. or account information for eBay, Paypalâ˘.
- Never pay in advance for items that are for sale, and never ship items on a promise of payment by Western UnionÂŽ, MoneyGramÂŽ or other wire services and avoid deals involving shipping or escrow services that the scammer will use to “guarantee” the transaction.
- MyCollectablesClassifieds.com℠ is not a party to any transaction on this website, and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer “buyer protection” or “seller certification.” If you receive an email from a buyer suggesting that MyCollectablesClassifieds.com℠ will “guarantee” their payment don’t believe it, it is a scam.
- Insist on meeting in a public place with heavy pedestrian traffic flow such as a mall. Go inside for the exchange, rather than meeting in the parking lot. If the buyer/seller balks at meeting at a high visibility area or insists on meeting at their home, at an unfamiliar or isolated location, or a late night meeting, walk away from the deal. Your safety always come first.
- Make sure you have the name and phone number for the buyer/seller.
- Bring a friend along to witness the transaction. Having someone else present is a big deterrent to someone wanting to cause you harm. If you are going by yourself⌠before you leave tell someone what you are doing and write down for them when and where the meeting is taking place and the name(s) and telephone number(s) of the person or people you are meeting.
- If you absolutely must make a transaction at your home or someone elseâs, do not do so alone. If going to another personâs home, ask them to bring the item outside so that you do not have to go inside. If you must go inside, absolutely never do so alone. Similarly, do not invite purchasers to your home and allow them inside if you are alone. Always have a friend with you when these transactions are made. Carrying a self defense or personal protection product, such as pepper spray, is a good way to increase your safety.
- Be street smart⌠donât arrive wearing expensive jewelry, fancy clothes or flashing wads of cash.
- Take extreme caution when selling items of great value. Do not purchase expensive items sight-unseen. Many police departments advise that you should never pay cash for high price items and instead pay by cashierâs check. This practice protects both the buyer and seller. But as a seller look closely at the buyer’s cashier checks or money orders because those can be counterfeit and if your bank cashes it for you and then discovers, even weeks later, that it was counterfeit the bank will hold you responsible.
- Be sure to take your mobile telephone with you for emergencies. Dial 911 for emergencies and all other times call your local police department.
- As a buyer, make sure what youâre buying is as advertised. It is up to you to make contact with the seller to discuss the item you are interested in buying. You are advised to ask about the item’s condition, age, if it works (if it’s mechanical/electrical), and postage costs before you arrange payment. Check the item for any engravings or stickers that might indicate the item is stolen or not the property of the person that is selling it. Buying stolen property is not a good deal.
- Trust your instincts. If something doesnât seem quite right, something is probably amiss. Walk away.
Anytime you are dealing with strangers, it is better to be safe than sorry. Your safety is always going to be worth more than the money you make on a online classifieds sale or the value of the bargain you find to buy. Protecting yourself and being vigilant about your safety should always be your top priority! Always be sure to follow these safety tips and trust your instincts to ensure your safety and that your transactions concludes without incident.
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In the unlikely event a buyer or seller has a problem with a transaction from a listing on this website the owners of this website are not liable for any transactions that may go wrong including loss of item, damaged item on delivery, financial loss or injury.