At CityAnuncios, your safety is our priority. We offer these tips to ensure your transactions are secure and you have a positive experience on our platform.
General safety tips
Protect your personal information
- Don't share sensitive financial information such as credit card details or passwords.
- Use our internal messaging system whenever possible.
- Keep your personal data such as exact address or family information private.
- Use a strong and unique password for your CityAnuncios account.
Verify users
- Check ratings and reviews of other users before doing business with them.
- Be wary of newly created profiles with no ratings or incomplete information.
- Look for inconsistencies in communication that may indicate a scam.
- If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
For buyers
Before buying
- Research the market value of the product to ensure the price is reasonable.
- Request additional photos or videos of the item if the ad images are not sufficient.
- Ask specific questions about the condition, age, and functionality of the item.
- Check if the item has a warranty or return possibility.
- Be wary of sellers who refuse to show the item before payment or who only accept advance payments.
During the transaction
- Meet the seller in public and crowded places, preferably during daylight hours.
- Bring a companion if possible, especially for high-value transactions.
- Carefully inspect the item before paying to verify its condition and authenticity.
- For electronic items, test them before completing the purchase.
- For vehicles or high-value items, consider requesting proof of ownership or the original invoice.
- Use secure payment methods and avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
For sellers
Creating your ad
- Include clear and detailed photos of the item from different angles.
- Honestly describe the condition of the item, including any defects or issues.
- Set a fair price based on the market value and condition of the item.
- Clearly specify your payment and delivery preferences.
- Don't include personal information such as your exact address in the ad description.
During the transaction
- Meet the buyer in public and crowded places, preferably during daylight hours.
- Bring a companion if possible, especially for high-value transactions.
- Verify that the payment is valid before handing over the item.
- Be careful with checks or transfers that may be fraudulent.
- For high-value items, consider accepting only cash or instant payment methods.
- Keep a record of the transaction, including a simple receipt if possible.
Common scams and how to avoid them
Warning signs
- Extremely low prices for high-value items.
- Sellers who refuse to meet in person or show the item before payment.
- Requests for payment through non-traceable methods or transfers to foreign accounts.
- Elaborate stories about why they need to sell quickly or why they can't meet.
- Pressure to complete the transaction quickly without giving time to verify the item.
- Communication with serious grammatical errors or inconsistencies in the information provided.
- Requests for personal or financial information that is not necessary for the transaction.
Common scams
- Overpayment scam: The buyer sends a payment for an amount greater than agreed and then requests a refund of the difference. The original payment turns out to be fraudulent.
- Fake escrow scam: The scammer poses as an escrow service to "guarantee" the transaction, but disappears with the money.
- Identity theft: Someone poses as a legitimate buyer or seller to obtain personal or financial information.
- Rental scam: Ads for rental properties at very low prices that require an advance deposit, but the property doesn't exist or isn't available.
- Employment scam: Job offers that require an initial payment for materials, training, or background checks.
What to do if you've been a victim of a scam
- Contact local authorities: File a formal complaint with the police or relevant authorities.
- Report the incident to CityAnuncios: Use our contact form or the "Report user" option to inform us about the situation.
- Keep all evidence: Save messages, emails, receipts, and any other documentation related to the transaction.
- Contact your bank or payment provider: If you made a payment, immediately inform your bank or payment service provider to try to stop or reverse the transaction.
- Report the fraud to national authorities: Many countries have specific agencies for reporting online fraud.
Remember
CityAnuncios acts as a platform to connect buyers and sellers, but does not directly participate in transactions. Always use your best judgment and follow these safety tips to protect yourself.
If you have any questions or concerns about safety on our platform, don't hesitate to contact our support team.
Last updated: 8/31/2025