Meeting the seller or buyer
- Always meet in a busy, public place during daylight hours
- Bring a friend or let someone know where you're going
- For valuable items, consider meeting at a Garda station
- Never invite strangers to your home or go to theirs alone
Payment safety
- Cash on collection is the safest option
- Never send money by bank transfer before receiving the item
- Be wary of requests to pay via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer
- For high-value items, consider using PayPal Goods & Services for buyer protection
Spotting scams
- If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is
- Be suspicious of sellers who refuse to meet in person
- Watch out for pressure to act quickly or "other buyers waiting"
- Verify the item exists -- ask for specific photos or video
- Be cautious of listings with stock photos instead of real photos
Protecting your information
- Use the in-app messaging system rather than sharing your phone number
- Don't share personal details like your home address until you're confident
- Be cautious of phishing links in messages