Safety & Security

The majority of buyers and sellers want to provide a good honest service to each other. However, there are those who take advantage of this buying and selling environment. While most listings are perfectly legitimate, as with any financial transaction, you should always take steps to protect yourself. Below are some tips to help safeguard you when buying/selling online:

• Be careful how much personal information you provide. Don't give out your home phone number or address. However if a seller/buyer seems credible (probably following some correspondence) you may need to disclose more information about yourself in order to complete the transaction. In this instance use your best judgement. Don't give out your bank account numbers, credit card numbers, etc.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. When buying or selling it is not unreasonable to find out more information. As a seller you should be willing to provide as much information as possible regarding the item. As a buyer you should feel confident about the product you are buying, so don’t be afraid to ask. All buyers should be cautious if a potential seller cannot give you a telephone number or insists on communicating by email only.
• Trust your gut instinct. If the seller seems evasive or suspicious, or makes you uncomfortable at any point during the initial contact process, do not continue to pursue the transaction. Establish the credibility of the seller. In addition to communicating over email, it might be an idea to talk to the seller by phone before meeting them. Don’t hand over any money or personal details until you’ve seen the vehicle or piece of equipment or are satisfied that the vehicle and seller are genuine.
• Be safe. When meeting in person to complete a transaction, make sure that it is in a well lit public place. Bring a friend with you, and if that is not possible always make sure someone else knows exactly where you are meeting and an estimated time you will be back.
• Know your Product. It’s always worth researching about what you are buying, to ensure you’re getting a good deal. If the product and price seem too good to be true, it probably is. Likewise for selling, this will ensure you price your item accordingly and may help get the best response. Don't be afraid to haggle or negotiate on price, but don't insult the seller/buyer with an unreasonably low/high offer. If the item is not as described or pictured, don't be afraid to walk away from the deal or change your offer.
• Fraudulent adverts. If the advertisement does not conform to our standard terms and conditions, it might be removed from the site without any notice given to the advertiser. However, buyers should be aware that advertising on this site is not posted by the publisher (Reed Business Information) and is not checked by us. If you see a suspicious advertisement or have any doubts at all, then please report it to us by calling 020 8652 3600 or email: e-classified@rbi.co.uk

If you would like further information on this issue please click on the links below:

Trading Standards: www.tradingstandards.gov.uk

Serious Organised Crime Agency: www.soca.gov.uk

Other scams: www.dti.gov.uk

Metropolitan Police Fraud Alert: www.met.police.uk/fraudalert/