Avoid scams and fraud
Most Handylist users have great experiences using our local classifieds, but we also have occasional reports of scams. The best way to avoid scams is to keep all transactions local.
Use common sense and follow these guidelines
- Only deal locally! Non-local transactions are usually scams.
- Be wary if the other party refuses to meet face-to-face.
- Never wire funds anywhere. Don't use Western Union or any other wire service.
- Be careful if the other party wants to use a cashier's check, postal money order, or an escrow service such as BidPay or Squaretrade.
- Never give out your personal financial information. Do not tell people your checking account number, SSN, eBay or PayPal info, etc.
- If you are selling something, you should never send money anywhere. Money should only go from the buyer to you!
Typical scams
-
Someone offers you a cashier's check and
then asks you to wire money.
- This is a scam. Cashier's checks are usually fake.
- If the value of the cashier's check exceeds the value of the item for sale, the check is probably fake.
- If you are selling something, you should never send money anywhere. If the buyer sends you a check and then asks you to send some of the money somewhere, do not do it. The fake check will not clear, and the money you sent will be gone.
-
A seller requests payment by Western Union
or MoneyGram
- Only deal locally!
- Once you've wired money, it is gone.
- If the deal seems to good to be true, it probably is.
Who should I notify about fraud?
- If you think an item posted for sale is part of a scam, send the details of the item to us. Please include the URL of the listing.
- If you are selling an item and receive an inquiry that looks like a scam, please send the details to us.