How do I meet up safely when buying something online?
Meet in a busy public place in daylight, such as a mall, a convenience store or near a barangay hall, bring someone with you, and test the item before paying. Do not go to a private address, do not carry more cash than the price, and do not pay a deposit before the meet-up.
Meet-ups are safer than paying in advance, but they have their own risks: fake items, counterfeit cash, a "friend" of the seller showing up instead, and in rare cases robbery. A seller who refuses any public place or keeps changing the location is a sign.
Rules for a safe meet-up
- Choose the place yourself: a mall, a bank lobby or a store with cameras.
- Go in daylight and bring a friend or family member.
- Tell someone where you are going and who you are meeting.
- Test the item fully before paying: turn on the phone, check the serial number, open the box.
- Pay only when the item is in your hands; if paying by GCash, confirm the transfer together.
- If something feels off, leave. You do not owe the seller a deal.
Frequently asked questions
- The seller wants me to pay by GCash before the meet-up to "secure" it. Normal?
- No. Paying before a meet-up is just paying in advance. Securing an item is the seller's risk, not yours.
Want to know if there are warning signs about the person you are talking to? Veritaza checks the photos, the messages, the number, the email, the name and the ID, for ₱199.
Check a person