Safety Center
Stay Safe While Buying, Selling, Renting or Hiring
Learn how to recognize common scams, protect your personal information, verify payments and report suspicious activity.
Important: Never send money, share passwords, provide verification codes or click unfamiliar payment links until you have independently verified the person and transaction.
Report and Verify
Stop communicating when something appears suspicious. Save the evidence and report the listing, message or payment request.
Reporting Scams Official fraud-reporting organizations
Use the reporting or flagging option available on the advertisement, listing, profile or message whenever possible.
Select the category that best describes the problem:
- Spam
- Scam or fraud
- Harassment or abuse
- Fake or misleading listing
- Other prohibited activity
Who should I notify about fraud or scam attempts?
United States
- U.S. Federal Trade Commission — ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center — IC3
- Find Your State Attorney General’s Office
Canada
-
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Toll-free: 1-888-495-8501
Messages received from an outside email address may also be reported to the sender’s email provider.
Threats, stalking, blackmail, extortion, assault or serious harassment should be reported to local law enforcement.
Verify the Person and Listing Check important details before proceeding
Do not rely only on information supplied by the buyer, seller, landlord, employer or service provider.
- Ask direct questions about the item or service.
- Compare the price with normal market prices.
- Search photographs to see whether they appear elsewhere.
- Confirm names, addresses and phone numbers independently.
- Verify ownership before purchasing valuable property.
- Inspect the item or property whenever possible.
- Check that documents contain consistent information.
- Do not accept excuses for avoiding verification.
Save Evidence What to keep before blocking or reporting someone
Before deleting a suspicious message or blocking the sender, save any information that may help document what occurred.
- Copies or screenshots of conversations
- Email addresses and complete email headers
- Usernames and profile information
- Telephone numbers
- Listing links and advertisement numbers
- Payment instructions and account details
- Invoices, checks and receipts
- Shipping details and tracking numbers
- Dates and times of communications
Marketplace Scams
These scams commonly involve vehicles, fake payments, checks, shipping companies and false buyer-protection programs.
Vehicle Buying and Selling Scams Urgent sales, shipping stories and fake ownership
Example Message
Warning Signs
- The seller uses a military, overseas or emergency story.
- The price is far below normal market value.
- The seller pressures you to act immediately.
- The vehicle cannot be viewed or inspected.
- The seller refuses to meet locally.
- The vehicle must be shipped.
- The title and ownership cannot be verified.
- A deposit is required before seeing the vehicle.
Protect Yourself
- Meet the seller in person whenever possible.
- Inspect the vehicle before paying.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect it.
- Verify that the VIN matches the title.
- Confirm the seller’s identity and ownership.
- Do not send a deposit for an unseen vehicle.
Fake Buyer Protection and Escrow Impersonated companies and fake payment websites
Example Message
Warning Signs
- A hardship story is used to gain sympathy.
- The price is unrealistically low.
- The transaction is described as guaranteed or protected.
- A trusted company’s name or logo is used without proof.
- The seller provides the payment or escrow link.
- You are asked for personal or financial information.
- The seller refuses an in-person meeting.
Protect Yourself
- Visit the company’s official website independently.
- Choose an escrow service yourself.
- Do not trust claims such as “verified” or “guaranteed.”
- Confirm directly with the company that the transaction exists.
Overpayment and Fake-Check Scams Checks for more than the purchase price
Example Message
Warning Signs
- A client, assistant or third party is involved.
- The payment is much larger than the purchase price.
- You are asked to deposit a certified or cashier’s check.
- You are instructed to forward money elsewhere.
- The buyer pressures you to act immediately.
Payment, Wire Transfer and Gift-Card Scams High-risk and difficult-to-reverse payments
High-Risk Payment Methods
- Wire transfers
- Gift cards
- Cryptocurrency
- Money-transfer services
- Money orders
- Cash sent through the mail
- Payments sent to unknown third parties
Fake Payment Screenshots
Screenshots can be edited or completely fabricated. Confirm payment by signing in to your own bank or payment account.
Fake Payment Emails
Fraudulent emails may claim that payment is pending until you provide tracking information, upgrade an account or pay a fee.
Shipping and Delivery Scams Fake carriers, tracking pages and surprise fees
Scammers may impersonate shipping companies, delivery services, movers or transport agents.
Warning Signs
- A particular shipping company must be used.
- The company cannot be independently verified.
- You receive unexpected insurance or storage charges.
- The tracking number does not work.
- You are asked to pay a driver or shipping agent.
- The item cannot be released until another fee is paid.
Protect Yourself
- Select shipping services independently.
- Verify tracking on the carrier’s official website.
- Call the carrier using independently found information.
- Do not pay unexpected insurance or storage fees.
Jobs, Rentals and Pets
Scammers may use fake employment, housing, childcare, service or animal listings to collect money and personal information.
Employment and Childcare Scams Fake jobs, advance payments and supply purchases
Example Message
Warning Signs
- The job description is vague or inconsistent.
- The employer is outside the country.
- Payment is offered before an interview.
- A check is sent for more than the agreed amount.
- You are told to purchase equipment or gift cards.
- You are asked to forward money.
- The employer requests sensitive information.
- You receive a job offer without a meaningful interview.
Protect Yourself
- Research the employer independently.
- Verify the company’s official contact information.
- Do not pay to receive a job.
- Do not deposit checks and forward money.
- Do not provide banking details before verification.
Rental and Housing Scams Copied listings and deposits for unavailable homes
Rental scammers may copy legitimate property photographs, addresses and descriptions and pretend to be the owner or property manager.
Warning Signs
- The rent is significantly below market value.
- The owner claims to be overseas or out of state.
- You cannot view the property before paying.
- A deposit is required immediately.
- The person refuses to meet or speak by telephone.
- Payment is required by wire transfer or gift card.
- The photographs appear in unrelated listings.
- The keys will supposedly be mailed after payment.
Protect Yourself
- View the property in person before paying.
- Verify the owner or property manager.
- Check ownership through public records.
- Read the entire lease before signing.
- Do not send a deposit to an unverified person.
Pet and Animal Scams Fake animals, breeders and shipping companies
Pet scammers may advertise animals that do not exist and use photographs copied from breeders, shelters or social media.
Warning Signs
- A rare breed is offered at an unusually low price.
- The seller refuses an in-person or live video meeting.
- The animal must be shipped.
- You are asked for unexpected transportation fees.
- The seller demands an immediate deposit.
- A shipping company requests more money.
- Veterinary records cannot be verified.
- The photographs appear in unrelated advertisements.
Protect Yourself
- Meet the animal and seller in person.
- Request a live video call when necessary.
- Verify veterinary and vaccination records.
- Research the breeder or rescue independently.
- Do not pay surprise shipping or insurance fees.
Service Provider Scams Fake contractors, advance fees and unfinished work
Scammers may advertise repairs, moving, cleaning, landscaping, technical support or other services and demand payment before performing the work.
Warning Signs
- Full payment is required before work begins.
- The price is far below other estimates.
- No written estimate is provided.
- Contact information cannot be verified.
- You are pressured to decide immediately.
- Payment must be made in cash or gift cards.
- Licensing or insurance cannot be confirmed.
Protect Yourself
- Obtain written estimates.
- Verify licenses and insurance when applicable.
- Check independent reviews and references.
- Do not pay the entire amount in advance.
- Use a written agreement.
Protect Yourself
Protect your identity, accounts and money before sharing information or completing a transaction.
Identity Theft and Verification Codes Requests for personal details, documents and codes
Scammers may claim they need to verify your identity or prove that you are a real buyer or seller.
Information You Should Protect
- Social Security number
- Driver’s license or passport copy
- Date of birth
- Bank and credit card information
- Passwords and security answers
- Verification codes sent to your phone or email
Verification-Code Scam
A scammer may send a code to your phone and ask you to repeat it. The code may allow the scammer to access an account, reset a password or create an account using your telephone number.
QR-Code and Phishing-Link Scams Fake payment and account-verification pages
A scammer may send a QR code or link and claim that you must use it to receive payment, arrange shipping or verify your identity.
Protect Yourself
- Do not scan unexpected QR codes.
- Do not sign in through links sent by strangers.
- Check the full website address.
- Open your bank or payment service directly.
- Do not install unfamiliar applications.
- Contact the company through its official website.
Common Scam Warning Signs Red flags that appear in many types of fraud
Be cautious when someone:
- Offers significantly more than your asking price.
- Refuses to meet in person.
- Claims to be outside the country.
- Pressures you to act immediately.
- Requests shipping before payment is confirmed.
- Sends a check for more than the agreed amount.
- Asks you to forward part of a payment.
- Requests gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
- Sends a payment link you did not request.
- Claims another company guarantees the transaction.
- Requests sensitive personal information.
- Asks for a verification code.
- Sends a QR code for payment or verification.
- Avoids answering direct questions.
- Uses inconsistent names, locations or details.
- Offers employment without an interview.
- Claims additional fees are required to release funds.
- Uses an emotional story to discourage questions.
How to Protect Yourself Important safety practices for every transaction
Meet Safely
Meet in a well-lit public place when possible and tell someone where you are going.
Inspect First
Inspect the item, property, vehicle or documents before paying or signing an agreement.
Verify Payments
Confirm funds through your own bank or payment account. Do not rely on screenshots.
Protect Information
Never share passwords, security codes or unnecessary identity documents.
Additional Safety Steps
- Use a payment method you understand.
- Do not click unfamiliar payment or shipping links.
- Do not send money to unknown third parties.
- Keep conversations within the marketplace when possible.
- Save suspicious messages and transaction records.
- Stop communicating when something seems suspicious.
- Report suspicious users, listings and messages.
- Trust your instincts and take time to investigate.
The Safety Center provides general educational information. It does not guarantee that a person, listing, payment or transaction is legitimate. Users are responsible for evaluating transactions and taking appropriate safety precautions.