We live in a world with ample opportunities; you can buy and sell anything you want, and make some decent money, too. But unfortunately, you might meet some ill-intentioned people who might want to scam you out of your money. This is more common than you think, and a lot of people have fallen prey to it.
If you’re planning to buy from or sell to strangers, here’s a series of steps to help you avoid getting scammed.
The information you give out
A lot of people don’t notice how crucial their privacy is when they’re buying something from an untrusted source. Most transactions have forms, where you fill out your information. The most common info needed would be your name, your address for shipping purposes, phone numbers, and your credit card details.
But if you find yourself getting asked for your social security number, your working hours, and if you’re traveling soon, then these are all red flags, and you should avoid doing business with these people immediately. You never know what could happen, if you give out too much information. Plus, it has nothing to do with the transaction, anyway. So remember to keep an eye out on what kind of personal information you’re sharing with the other party.
Having a smooth house sale
Whenever you’re trying to sell your house, it can be a very hectic process if you choose to work with a questionable real estate company. You need to realize that the process of selling your home shouldn’t be a hassle; you should get a service that delivers what you asked for without having to make any additional payments, while there should never be hidden conditions written in their fine print.
Also, reviews of that company would be a good place to check their reputation. If they ask you to wire them money upfront before they even do anything, then they shouldn’t be trusted. And if they are rushing you to decide on a price or client, then they aren’t sincere, and they only want a fast deal that you aren’t comfortable with. All of these things are early red flags that you should be wary of.
Manufacturing or design concerns with clothes
When you buy products online, sometimes the displayed picture of the product is so flawless that it makes you wonder if the product is real or not. So many people suffer from buying things online and then getting something entirely different from what they ordered. These cases are more common with clothes and products that sell in different sizes.
So, if you’re planning on buying some attire, be sure to see, feel, and try it on before purchasing it. This is the best way to make sure that you’re buying the right item of clothing that you want, and that it fits you and boasts a high-quality fabric. When you inspect it between your fingers, make sure that it doesn’t have any hidden flaws.
Counterfeit money problems
Getting scammed is probably one of the worst things that could happen to someone when they’re trying to sell a product to a stranger. Most of the time, when a transaction is done in person, you demand to get paid in cash for your goods. But once you realize that something is wrong with the feel of the bills that were handed to you, that excitement turns into anger.
The money you’re getting needs to be checked thoroughly, and not just counted. Most counterfeit bills are the 50s or 100s, so if you’re getting paid in 20s, then you’re most likely going to be fine. Check the bills in your hand; if you feel like they’re getting your fingers smudged, then it’s not real money. You can get a counterfeit detector pen if you want to be sure, or you could ask the buyer to meet you near an ATM, so you can see him withdrawing legitimate cash right in front of you.
Your emotions should be in check
When you’re trying to sell something, try to get to know the buyer a little more to make sure that you’re dealing with someone trustworthy. You can’t rush your sale thinking that it’s the only chance; you must be patient, and you should take the necessary precautions. Never lower the price out of pity because half the time it’s a staged sob story. You need to keep your emotions out of this and be logical about your transaction.
You can’t be too careful when you’re selling or buying something. It can still be very tricky trying to avoid all the scammers out there, but with the right mindset, you can do your best to stay safe, and enjoy the perks of a sale or purchase without losing any money, or getting faulty goods.