Meeting buyers and sellers
- Meet in a public place when possible.
- Tell someone where you are going if collecting something from a stranger.
- Avoid late-night collections from unknown addresses.
Stay sharp
Safety Tips
A local marketplace works best when people keep their eyes open and avoid dodgy deals.
Payments
- Inspect the item before paying.
- Avoid sending deposits before seeing the item.
- Be careful with gift cards, crypto, bank-transfer-only pressure or rushed deals.
Spotting scams
- Be suspicious of prices that are far too cheap.
- Watch for sellers refusing normal questions or trying to move you off-site quickly.
- Report anything that feels unsafe, fake or suspicious.
Vehicles
- Check logbook details, MOT history, VIN plates and service history where possible.
- Do not buy a vehicle without seeing it properly.
- Be careful with cloned listings and pressure to pay before viewing.