Most deals on classifieds platforms are honest. But scammers love marketplaces with private sellers, so a few simple habits remove almost all the risk. This guide is for buyers and sellers alike.
Check the other party
Look at the seller's profile: registration date, other listings, verified phone. A fresh account with a single listing at a suspiciously low price is a reason to be extra careful.
Keep the conversation in the marketplace chat instead of moving to messengers right away — that way moderators have a history if anything goes wrong.
Meet in safe places
Choose busy places during the day: shopping malls, metro stations, post offices. For expensive items (phone, laptop) the ideal spot lets you test the goods calmly — with a socket and Wi-Fi.
If the item is bulky (furniture, appliances) and inspection is only possible at the seller's home, bring someone along and tell your family where you're going.
Money — only after inspection
The golden rule: never prepay a stranger. No "deposit to remove the listing", no "shipping paid upfront", no "reservation fee". Pay in person with the item in your hands, or cash on delivery with inspection at the post office.
Check cash on the spot. For bank transfers, pay only after inspecting the item and only to a card whose holder name matches the seller.
Red flags
A price half the market rate; rushing ("buy today or it's gone"); refusing to show the item live or on a video call; asking you to follow a link "to pay" or "to verify"; a card number instead of an IBAN "with strange text".
A common scheme is phishing "payment" pages that copy the design of the post office or the marketplace. A real marketplace never asks for your card details so you can receive money from a buyer.
If something goes wrong
Keep the chat history, receipts and screenshots, and report the listing with the "Report" button — moderators will block the fraudulent account.
In case of actual fraud, contact the police (in Ukraine also the cyber police, cyberpolice.gov.ua) and your bank: a quick report raises the chances of getting the transfer back.