Online Safety Tips



As with all transactions, please practice caution when interacting with others.

The help pages below have some information about best practices for ensuring your safety.

In Person Transactions
 
    • Insist on a public meeting place like a bank or police department. Some police 
      departments have buy/sell areas set aside for meeting.
    • Do not meet in a secluded place or invite strangers into your home.
    • Be especially careful buying/selling high value items.
    • Tell a friend or family member where you're going.
    • Consider having a friend accompany you.
    • Trust your instincts.

Taking these simple precautions helps make Mikes Adds safer for everyone.

Scams

Sometimes you may encounter someone pretending to be a Mikes Adds user or other trusted 
authority in order to get your money, items, or personal information.

We have gathered some indicators that may help you stay safe and identify fake offers on 
Mikes Adds:

Avoiding Scams

Deal locally, face-to-face —follow this one rule and avoid the vast majority of scam 
attempts.

DO NOT:
    • provide or accept payment before meeting in person
        ◦ requests to wire money are scams
        ◦ requests to pay with gift cards are scams
        ◦ requests to deposit a cashier's check are scams
        ◦ requests to use an escrow service can be a scam
        • provide any financial information - e.g. bank account number, cashapp logins
        • provide any personal information - social security number, licenses, job references

Beware of:

    • offers involving shipping or movers
    • "guaranteed" transactions or payment processing services
    • requests to call or email for more information
    • requests for a "code" or "verification" - these are always a scam