10 tips to stay safe when buying and selling online

Most people on AdLagao are honest buyers and sellers. A few are not. These ten simple rules keep you safe.

For buyers

Never pay in advance for something you have not seen, especially to "reserve" it or for "delivery charges". This is the most common scam.
Meet in a busy public place in daylight — a shopping centre, a bank or near a police station. Take a friend for expensive items.
Check the item before you pay. Switch it on, test it, and compare the serial or IMEI number with the box and bill.
Too cheap is a warning. A new iPhone for half price or a car far below market price is almost always a trick.
Check the papers for cars, bikes and property before any payment (see our checklists in this blog).

Never share a code that you receive by SMS (OTP). No real buyer needs it. Anyone who asks for it is trying to take over your WhatsApp, bank or JazzCash/Easypaisa account.
Do not trust a payment screenshot or SMS. Fake bank and wallet messages are easy to make. Open your own banking app and check that the money has really arrived.
Do not send the item first to a buyer you have never met, even if they say they are abroad or in the army.

Keep the chat on AdLagao or WhatsApp so you have a record. Be careful with links sent by strangers.
Report suspicious ads and users. Every ad has a Report button — our team checks every report.

If something feels wrong, stop. A good deal can wait one more day; your money cannot come back.