Safety Guidelines for In-Person Transactions

Meeting Safely

• Choose a Public Venue: Always meet at a public place such as a cafe, shopping mall, or any area with significant foot traffic.
• Bank or Police Station: For high-value transactions, consider meeting at a bank or a local police station. Some stations offer designated areas for safe exchanges.
• Avoid Isolated Areas: Never meet in a secluded place. Do not invite strangers into your home or go to theirs.
• High-Value Transactions: Exercise extra caution when buying or selling high-value items. Verify the authenticity of the item and the credibility of the buyer/seller.
• Inform Others: Let a friend or family member know the details of the transaction, including the time, place, and the other person’s contact information.
• Bring a Friend: Consider having a friend accompany you for additional safety.
• Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, trust your gut feeling and postpone or cancel the transaction.

Scam Awareness

• Impersonation: Be aware that scammers may pose as legitimate users or authorities to deceive you.
• Personal Information: Protect your personal information. Do not share sensitive details like social security numbers or bank account information.
• Payment Scams: Avoid any advance payment requests. Be wary of wire transfers, cashier’s checks, gift cards, and escrow services as they are commonly used in scams.
• Shipping Scams: Be cautious of deals that involve shipping or moving services. Scammers often use these offers to create a sense of urgency and pressure you into making a quick decision.
• Verification Scams: Ignore requests for codes or verification procedures that seem unusual or unnecessary.

Conducting a Secure Transaction

• Local and Face-to-Face: Deal locally and meet face-to-face to inspect the item and complete the transaction.
• No Financial Disclosure: Never provide financial information before a transaction. This includes bank details, PayPal logins, or any other financial data.
• Documentation: For high-value items, ask for documentation such as receipts, warranties, or certificates of authenticity.

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 a 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

A good Saneyou interaction will:

• Discuss a specific item, service, or job
• Arrange to meet in a safe, public place

Who should I notify about fraud or scam attempts?  

United States

• Internet Crime Complaint Center
• FTC complaint form and hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
• Consumer Sentinel/Military (for armed service members and families)
• SIIA Software and Content Piracy reporting
• Ohio Attorney General Consumer Complaints
• New York Attorney General, Avoid Online Investment Fraud

Canada

• Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or 888-495-8501 (toll-free)

If you are defrauded by someone you met in person, contact your local police department.