How can I avoid scams when buying or selling online?
Only buy when you can confirm who the seller is, and prefer ways of paying that protect you, like paying inside the platform or paying on delivery. A very low price, pressure to pay quickly and a request for a transfer outside the app are the most common signs of a scam.
In private sales – Jiji, Facebook Marketplace, WhatsApp groups – the scammer advertises something they don't have, takes the transfer and disappears. It also happens the other way round: a "buyer" sends you a fake payment alert.
Before you pay
- Be wary of a price far below what the item usually sells for.
- Don't leave the app to pay outside it.
- Search for the seller's name, number and username together with the word "scam".
- Ask for a video of the item with your name written on a piece of paper.
- If you're selling, check in your banking app that the money has really cleared. Never trust a payment alert by SMS or a receipt sent as a screenshot or PDF.
Frequently asked questions
- The seller has lots of reviews. Can I trust them?
- It helps, but reviews can be bought or come from another account. Look at how long the profile has existed.
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