How to Avoid Internet Based Scams

Please note - we are in NO WAY affilate with any seller or buyer, we are not involved in any transaction or sales.

If you suspect that a posted Ad may be part of a scam, please e-mail details to us with URL to suspicious Ad in your message.

Be careful when a seller or buyer is from overseas.

Best for Your safety to deal locally with people you can meet in person.

Try to avoid wire service because they has NO buyer protection offer. Anyone who asks you to use so may be a scammer.

If you are offered more than your asking price - it`s a SCAM!

If the buyer don't care much about the item, just the transaction - it`s a SCAM!

Importing Pets, Monkeys or Parrot eggs?

Please do not respond to "adopt a pet" ads where you are asked to send money for shipping the pet from abroad, all these ads are scams and we will delete all ads and accounts when we find this type of ad. If you are buying a pet, please view the pet before parting with any money, never buy from overseas, never send money by Western Union, it is like sending cash and can not be traced.

Overseas export?

Please be aware of emails originating from overseas, wanting you to export your goods for sale. Nearly always, these are a scam of some kind. The majority of scams that are targeting UK Classified ad sites tend to be from criminals based in Nigeria , or are using Nigerian bank accounts. Remember: If it sounds to good to true, then it usually is!

What is West African "419" fraud?

Advance fee fraud or '419' fraud (named after the relevant section of the Nigerian Criminal Code) is a popular crime with the West African criminal element. There are a myriad of schemes and scams - mail, faxed and telephone promises designed to facilitate victims parting with money. All involve requests to help move large sums of money with the promise of a substantial share of the cash in return.

You receive an offer for more money than advertised?

Another popular scam is to be sent a cheque for more money than the goods are advertised for, you are then asked to forward the difference to the purchaser of your goods.

How the scam works is that the cheque you are sent is fraudulent, usually drawn on a foreign bank account, or is a stolen cheque. After you bank the cheque, the scammer/fraudster will ask you to send back the difference as soon as possible. A week or so later, your bank will inform you that the cheque is false and your bank account will be debited, therefore loosing your money.

Never release your goods until the bank has confirmed that the cheque or bankers draft has completely cleared.