7 Ways to Be Safe on Classified Ad Websites

Classified ad sites allow you to sell just about anything, including things that cannot be shipped. Actually, the biggest reason behind the success of classified sites is that people can see a product before they buy it. Safety in buying through online classified sites must come in two forms - purchasing without seeing (shipped) and purchasing while meeting a person. With that said, here are the 7 top safety tips to keep in mind while shopping on a classifieds website. 1. Do not post your address or your phone number on your listing. You can post your city or the closest nearby city if you live in a rural area. Phone numbers can be used for finding your address and should be reserved or shared once you know you are talking to a person that is serious. 2. Only respond to emails that seem legit. If someone sends you an email that uses sentences like "Do you still have this item?" they are most likely phishing for information. Do not respond to them. 3. If you are meeting someone to show them your product or to purchase a product, always meet them in a public place where you know there will be plenty of people around. 4. Never send money via paypal, wire transfer, check, cash, western union, money gram or any other form. The safest way to complete transactions is to meet in person and exchange funds. Paying someone through these forms cannot be guaranteed safe unless you complete the entire transaction (they give you the item, you give them cash) at once. 5. Always be sure you use a username and password that is unique to your classified site account and never provide anyone with your username and password. If you receive an email about your username or password, do not respond to the email. Always login to your account on the classifieds site to see if the site sent you a message. 6. Never give out personal information, including your social security number, bank account or credit card numbers or birth date. 7. Finally, use common sense. No online classifieds websites can guarantee your safety on their website. If something sounds to good to be true or seems unsafe, go with your instinct. Be sure to follow the first 6 rules for staying safe even if it means not selling or not buying.