Safe Deals on Classifieds: How to Avoid Scams

Scammers on classifieds sites everywhere run the same handful of scripts — there are only a few, and all of them are recognizable. Here are the schemes, the red flags, and the simple rules that close off 99% of the risk.

The three main scams

• Prepayment "to hold the item": a seller with a suspiciously good price asks you to transfer part of the sum "because there are many buyers interested" — then disappears after the transfer;
• phishing "delivery": you get sent a link to a supposed courier service asking you to "enter your card details to receive the money" — this is card theft, a real payment recipient never needs your card details;
• fake buyer: agrees without looking, rushes you, moves the conversation to a messaging app, and sends you that very link.

Red flags in the listing and the chat

• The price is noticeably below market with no clear reason;
• the seller cannot send an extra photo "right now" — photos taken in poor light with an unfamiliar background are often stolen;
• the other person keeps pushing you out of the platform chat and into a messaging app;
• pressure through urgency: "someone is picking it up in an hour, transfer now."

Rules for buyers

• Pay on pickup — cash or a transfer at the moment you receive the item; never prepay a stranger;
• check expensive items before paying: for phones, use our iPhone inspection checklist, for cars — our used car guide;
• meet during the day in busy public places; bring someone with you when inspecting expensive electronics.

Rules for sellers

• Never enter your card details to "receive" money: an incoming transfer only needs an account number or cash;
• do not click "courier service" links from buyers — arrange delivery yourself;
• keep the conversation in the platform chat: a record of what was agreed is your strongest argument in a dispute.

A word about taxes

A one-off sale of personal used items in Serbia, as in most countries, usually is not considered business activity. But if sales are regular and aimed at making a profit, this legally becomes an activity that needs to be registered. The line between "selling off my own stuff" and "running a business" is blurry, and the rules change — if you sell systematically, check your status with an accountant. This is not legal advice, just a reminder that the question exists.

The bottom line is simple: almost every scam requires your active participation — transferring money upfront or entering your card details. Do neither, meet in person, and deals on classifieds sites will be no riskier than a trip to the market. For where exactly to buy, see our overview of classifieds sites in Serbia.