While most members of GhanaYe: Classifieds have good experiences, it’s important to stay alert and educated about how to stay safe.
Know the Market
It’s important to know what the average cost of the item you’re looking for is in comparison to the ad you’re viewing. If it’s drastically less than similar items, be careful. Fraudsters often post a once-in-a-lifetime deal to pull in as many people as possible. The common saying stands: if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
Do Your Research
If you’re buying an item, get to know what normally comes with it and make sure that all the parts you’ll need are there. For high-valued items, it’s also important to know what replicas look like and how to tell if it’s genuine.
If you’re looking into a service, job, or anything offered by a business, look up the company online. Make sure that their address and phone number check out. If available, look up some online reviews.
Don’t Give Out Personal Information
When speaking to individuals online, it’s important to be cautious when giving out information. Never give out your identification or banking details unless you are 100% sure that you’re speaking with the real company. Note: GhanaYe: Classifieds’ customer service team will never ask for your identification, passwords, or banking details.
Meet in Person Before Paying
A Fraudster’s greatest tool is that online translations are anonymous. Don’t provide any money until after you’ve met them in person and had a chance to inspect the item. We recommend that you meet during the day in a busy, public location like a coffee shop.
Choose Safe Payment Methods
Many forms of money transfer can be faked or are hard to reverse should anything go wrong. If you can’t use cash, use safer methods such as Bank Transfer and make sure that the payment has been processed before trading the item.
Trust Your Gut
Sometimes a sale just seems off. If anything isn’t sitting right with you, don’t be afraid to walk away. You are not obligated to follow through with a transaction even if you’ve already agreed to a price.
Note:
- GhanaYe: Classifieds is a local classifieds site and not all ads are reviewed before going live to site.
- GhanaYe: Classifieds does not offer any sort of protection programs for GhanaYe: Classifieds items. Any emails or websites that talk about such systems are scams, even if they may have the GhanaYe: Classifieds logo. If you receive any emails promoting these services, please forward the message to us.
- This article is intended to serve as a quick overview of online safety. For more in-depth information, please browse our full Safety section
Most ads on GhanaYe: Classifieds are posted by genuine sellers. When someone with bad intentions does come through the site, we have systems in place to try to catch them before any damage can be done. Despite these protections, any time you are buying or selling online it’s important to know how to recognise suspicious ads. There are a few warning signs to watch out for.
Too Good to be True Deals
In order to try and lure people into their scam, fraudsters will offer a deal that’s hard to refuse. They are likely to offer new or popular items at a fraction of the cost of similar ads. The advert may explain that the item is practically new, has all the best features, and has never had any issues. If any item, property, or vehicle seems to be too good a deal, be cautious.
If you’re the one selling the item, they may offer you more than asking price, or may want to buy everything you have for sale all at once.
Stock Photos
In most cases, fraudsters don’t actually have the item or property they’re offering. Instead, they pull photos from online. They often choose the best quality photos that are the most likely to convince you to buy. One quick method to check if the photos are genuine is to do a quick image search.
Note: While stock images can be a bad sign, they don’t necessarily mean an ad is a scam. Genuine sellers do sometimes use images from online, especially if the item is new. Don’t worry unless you see other red flags as well. If you’re unsure, you can always request original photos.
Email in Their Ad
Fraudsters will often request that you leave GhanaYe: Classifieds and contact them through a private platform. This helps them to avoid our security systems. If they ask you to reply to their personal email address instead of their masked GhanaYe: Classifieds email, be cautious.
Tip: If for some reason a seller doesn’t want to use GhanaYe: Classifieds messages to communicate, ask to give them a call. Fraudsters will rarely speak directly over the phone.
When sending messages through GhanaYe: Classifieds, we mask your email on top of other safeguards to try to ensure that every interaction you have is with a genuine member of the site. Despite these safeguards, it’s important to know the warning signs when buying and trading online.
They Move the Conversation to a New Platform
To avoid our security systems fraudsters will often request that you leave GhanaYe: Classifieds and contact them through a private platform. If they ask you to reply to their personal email address instead of their masked GhanaYe: Classifieds email, be cautious.
Note: Sometimes these requests can be legitimate, but if they refuse to speak anywhere other than through private email, it might be best to move on. Ask them to speak directly over the phone if they don’t want to use GhanaYe: Classifieds messages.
They Can’t Meet In Person
Fraudsters will often work remotely. This is partly because they need to cast a wide net to make money and partly for their own safety. They may have an elaborate excuse that makes them sound legitimate. Some common stories are that they work in an offshore oil rig, that they’re a member of the military, or that they’re buying a special present for a family member from overseas.
They Rush the Process
Fraudsters want to rush people through the scam before they begin to catch on. They’ll often send long-winded, overly detailed messages trying to finish the transaction. If you’re the buyer, they’ll start sending information on how to pay them right away. If you’re the seller, they may ask a few basic questions in the same message before instructing you on how to collect their payment.
They Skip Details
Since fraudsters aren’t actually looking to buy or sell anything, they don’t usually ask any item-specific questions. If they do ask questions, they’ll be rushed and very basic.
In many cases, they’re also using pre-written responses that don’t mention the exact type of item in their reply. They may use general terms like ‘the item’ or ‘your vehicle.’ In some cases, they simply copy and paste the ad title into the message to make it appear specific. For example: ‘I would like to buy your Honda Civic 2016 Blue.’
Too Good to be True Deals
In order to try and lure people into their scam, fraudsters will offer a deal that’s hard to refuse. If you’re the buyer and offer less than their asking price, they’ll accept on the first email. After all, they’re losing nothing in this deal unless you walk away.
If you’re selling the item, they may offer you more than asking price, or may want to buy everything you have for sale all at once. They may even offer extra if you remove the ad right away to ‘ensure the sale.’
Odd Payment Requests
Since fraudsters don’t usually meet in person, they need the money digitally. They may ask that you send them money through a method with no guarantees. Favourites include MoneyGram, Western Union, and other types of money transfer. They may also request payment through PayPal but insist that you use the Friends & Family setting so that you are offered less protection.
Scams aimed at buyers are generally simple, but there are two types:
- They ask you to pay for the item before you meet up.
- They ask for a deposit for an item you haven’t seen.
There are 3 main types of scams aimed at sellers:
- They insist that you ship the item to them before payment.
- They send you a payment notification or receipt and ask you to transfer some funds back to them before the full payment comes through.
- They send you a fake payment notification or receipt, then ask you to transfer some of that money to a shipping company. Not only do they tell you which company to use for the transfer, but also which account number.
If you see any of these signs, don’t proceed any further with the transaction and reach out to our customer support team to let us know.
Once you’ve come to an agreement and decided you’re going to make the trade, it’s important to meet in person. Meeting in person helps to prevent miscommunication, allows you to inspect the item one last time, and reduces the risk of scams.
Agree on a Safe Location
Unless you’re selling an item that can’t be moved easily, it’s best to meet somewhere other than your own home. A public location will help ensure safety for both parties, especially if you can’t meet until the evening. Try to choose somewhere with plenty of light, other people, and if possible, security cameras. Meeting in coffee shops, fast food restaurants, or even the parking lot of police stations are good choices.
Bring a Friend
Bringing a friend or family member with you is always a good idea. They can keep you company while you’re waiting and help ensure everything goes smoothly.
Inspect What You’re Buying Carefully
Even if you’ve seen photos and the seller ensures you that it’s in perfect condition, it’s important to inspect the item thoroughly first. Even genuine sellers may not notice small stains, cracks, or other issues. If you’re buying a vehicle, taking the vehicle to a mechanic together to have it inspected can settle any final concerns.
The inspection is equally important for a seller. Ensure that the buyer looks over the item, turns it on, and knows about any wear and tear beforehand. That last inspection will make sure that both you and the buyer are aware of the items condition. This step will ensure that nothing is left unsaid that could cause issues later.
Once you’ve agreed to the deal, it’s time to complete the payment.
Once you’ve met, inspected the item and come to an agreement, it’s time to finalise the deal. There are many options to transfer money, both online and in person. Let’s take a look at the benefits of each.
Deposits
Requesting or offering deposits for items on GhanaYe: Classifieds is not recommended. However, some sellers do request one. Never pay a deposit on an item you haven’t seen in person. If you have seen it and you’re not completely comfortable leaving a deposit, it may be best to move on to another deal.
Mobile Money Transfer
Mobile money is an electronic wallet service. This is available in many countries and allows users to store, send and receive money using their mobile phone. The safe and easy electronic payments make mobile money a popular alternative to bank accounts. It can be used on both smartphones and basic feature phones.
Cash
Cash is often the safest option. It’s generally accepted by everyone and is very hard to fake convincingly. However, it’s not impossible. If you’re accepting cash, especially for a large purchase, make sure you know how to recognize counterfeit currency.
Carrying cash as a buyer can have its own risks and be less convenient. Consider the situation and decide what’s best for you.
Cheque
Cheques can be more convenient than cash, but they can bounce. If you want a cheque, the safest option is to ask for a certified cheque and go to the bank with them to cash it before the item is signed over.
PayPal
When used cautiously, PayPal is a great tool for sending and receiving money online. When accepting a PayPal payment, always double check that the payment has actually been deposited into your account. PayPal payment confirmation emails can be faked, so make sure to check independently of the email (without using any links). If the payment confirmation email claims the payment won’t appear in your account for any reason, contact PayPal (directly through their website, not the email) before proceeding.
PayPal has some protections in place to help both buyers and sellers, but these protections don’t extend to all PayPal transactions. We do not recommend using PayPal’s Friends and Family payment option, as this skips their internal security and doesn’t offer protection.
If you’re ever not sure about a PayPal transfer, you can contact PayPal directly for help verifying it. Learn more about fake PayPal emails.
Money Wiring Services such as Western Union/MoneyGram
We do not recommend using direct money transfers services such as Western Union or MoneyGram. Electronic transfers are hard to verify because payment confirmation emails can be faked by fraudsters. Should the deal fall though, or if it turns out to be scam, they offer no protection. If you decide to accept payment through one of these methods, don’t give them the item until you’ve been able to confirm with 100% certainty that the funds are in your account.
Note: If any buyer sends you an electronic transfer and then asks you to move some of the funds somewhere else – especially if they require the funds to be moved before you actually receive the money – don’t do it. This is likely an SMS scam. If you encounter any requests like this, please report it to our customer support team.
Bank Transfers
Like money wiring services, bank transfers may appear to offer a safe way to transfer money between a buyer and seller. However, once you have sent funds they are almost immediately transferred into the account of the recipient. If a deal was to fall through, or you were unhappy with the item you had paid for, your money is not protected. Transfers offer few options for a refund beyond the good will of the seller. We always urge caution when transferring money by bank. We recommend that you are completely satisfied with the item before committing to the transaction.
Buying a car is exciting. But it can also be stressful. To help you avoid getting your fingers burned, we always run a Vehicle History Check when someone posts a vehicle ad. If it doesn’t pass, we don’t list it.
Find these out:
- If the car is listed as stolen on the Police National Computer
- If the DVLA has recorded the vehicle as scrapped
- If an insurer has written off the car because it’s either very damaged or stolen
- If the DVLA has recorded the car as exported or imported.
- Any mileage discrepancies
- Any outstanding money owed that relates to previous sales
Do Your Homework
We carry out the free Vehicle History Check when someone posts the ad on our site. Things can change in the time between the vehicle being posted and you viewing and deciding to buy. So always check that things still stack up.
We’ve put together lots of extra guidance to help ease your worries when buying a used vehicle.
Whether you’re looking for your next hire or seeking a new job opportunity, we have top tips to make sure you connect to the right role/employee.
For Jobseekers:
At GhanaYe: Classifieds, we really want to help you find that great new job, so we have put together some advice to help you find work safely:
Do your Research
Before you send an application for a vacancy, do some research into the recruiter. This will help you prepare for an interview and allow you to make sure the business is a right fit for you and your skills. Legitimate recruiters will normally have a professional business email domain, landline phone number, can be found on companies house website and will have business premises.
Ask Questions
Ask lots of questions about the role you are applying for, especially if you get to meet any current employees. You will want to know the exact details of what your day to day responsibilities will be. If a potential employer is vague about the details of the position, you should proceed with caution.
Sending Sensitive Information
Never provide sensitive information, like your bank account details or personal ID including copies of your passport or driving licence, when applying for a job. This information should only be provided once you’ve accepted an offer from the company, or when you’ve met your employer in person and verified their identity.
Common Signs of Fraud
Unfortunately, there are some people who will advertise roles that do not exist. If you have reason to believe a role is not real or suspicious, please report it to us by using the ‘report ad’ button. Here are some common signs of fraudulent job ads:
- the employer cannot be properly researched, and does not wish to meet face to face for interview
- you are asked to make advanced payment for a background check.
- you are asked to call a premium rate phone number. You should always ask the employer to call you.
- you are asked to download documents such as an application pack. You should only make downloads from a trusted source and ensure that when you open any files, including email attachments, you scan them first with up to date antivirus software.
For Recruiters/Employers:
References & Checks
Any employer, whatever the role should always check references and speak to past employers. However, there are some roles, such as childcare, where you may need to perform extra due diligence when recruiting someone into a position.
What should you ask for:
- Past references from at least 2 employers
If you ever have reason to believe you have received an unsuitable application or have concerns for the welfare of an individual we urge you to report it to the most relevant authority and contact our customer support team.