Safety tips
Nearly every trade goes smoothly. These tips help keep it that way.
Meet somewhere safe
- Meet in a busy public place in daylight. Many Garda stations are happy for you to do the handover outside the front door.
- Shopping centre car parks with CCTV and 24-hour petrol station forecourts are good too.
- Bring a friend if you can, and tell someone where you're going.
- Don't invite strangers to your home, and don't go to theirs, unless it's a big item like furniture. If you do, have someone with you.
Check who you're dealing with
- Look for the ID Verified badge. It means the person passed a passport or driving licence check with a selfie.
- Read their reviews and see how long they've been a member.
- Keep your chat in the SellOrSwap app, so there's a record if anything goes wrong.
Paying and getting paid
- Card payments in the app are the safest choice. The money is held until you confirm you have the item, then it goes to the seller.
- If you pay cash, count it at the handover and check the item works before you hand over the money.
- Never pay by bank transfer, Revolut or gift cards to someone you haven't met. That's the most common scam.
- Never send codes you get by text to anyone. We will never ask for them.
Spotting a scam
- A price that's far too good to be true usually is.
- Be careful if someone is in a rush, won't meet, or wants to move the chat to WhatsApp or email straight away.
- Sellers: ignore anyone who offers to overpay and asks you to send back the difference.
- Don't click links in messages that ask you to 'confirm' a payment.
If something goes wrong
Tap Report on the ad or profile and our team will look at it. If you think a crime has happened, contact your local Garda station. In an emergency, ring 112 or 999.