Seller or buyer

1. Always meet face to face - take someone with you and meet in a public place.
2. If a buyer is coming to your home or workplace, arrange to have someone with you and ask the buyer/seller to produce ID from a distance. Do not allow strangers inside your house.
3. Always let the buyer inspect the item before agreeing to a sale
4. Always verify payment before you hand over the item
5. Some buyers may send your messages as proof of payment, please first log into your account or check your mobile money transactions on your phone to verify that money has actually been paid before you hand over the item. Don't believe an email or text messages even though it might look genuine, always verify
6. Use common sense. If something sounds too good to be true - it probably is.

Services

How to pick a quality business service?

1. Conduct your own independent research
2. Ask questions and proof of previous work to ensure the service provider is experienced and understands the scope of work and is able to execute the work.
3. Consult those more experienced in the area of the service provided to confirm that you are taking on someone who knows what you need and can deliver.
4. Contact several businesses and receive quotes from each. Remember businesses are competing for your business and you should pick the one that you feel comfortable with
5. If a service provider is coming to your home or workplace, arrange to have someone with you and ask the him/her/them to produce national ID (s). Always verify national IDS by dialing *197#

Vehicles

1. Always inspect a vehicle before agreeing to a sale. Use services of a professional mechanic to assist in the inspection.
2. Ask questions: When first contacting the seller, don't be afraid to ask lots of questions about the condition of the vehicle, how long they've had it, service history and why they're selling it.
3. Negotiate: Don't be afraid to negotiate a price you think is fair but don't offer an unrealistic amount
4. Meet in person: A transaction should always be made face-to-face, with an in-person payment made once you've seen the vehicle and made the necessary checks. Check with URA to ensure the vehicle has no caveats It can pay to meet the seller at a mechanics, so they can check over the vehicle. Never send or wire money to somebody you don't know and do not provide identity documents online.
5. For personal ease and safety, arrange to meet in a public place and take a friend or family member with you.
6. Validate ownership by meeting the seller in person. Their face should match that on their national ID. Confirm the authenticity of their national ID by dialing *197# on your phone. Once you dial *197#, Choose option 2 of “Check ID Number” or “Validation NIN” in some networks. then Enter the National ID Number/NIN on their ID
7. Common sense: Use common sense when buying online. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is!

Real estate

1. Always meet face to face - take someone with you to view the property.
2. Whether you are the person that advertised or replying to an ad always ask for ID and verify the National ID by dialing *197#.
3. Meet with the LCs, neighbors and family members to ascertain ownership and the legal right to transact.
4. Never send or wire money to someone you don’t know or trust.
5. Always inspect the land or property before agreeing to buy. Use services of a professionals like surveyors, civil engineers and lawyers to assist in the inspection and searches at the land registry.
6. Always research the market value of similar properties in the same area. If something sounds too good to be true - it probably is

Money

1. Always meet face to face - take someone with you and meet in a public place. If a seller is coming to your home or workplace, arrange to have someone with you and ask the buyer to produce a national ID. Verify the National ID on your phone through *197#
2. Never send or wire money to someone you don’t know or trust.
3. Always inspect the item before agreeing to buy. Enlist the help of a professional or experienced person to help you inspect the item before agreeing to buy.
4. If you are paying cash, request for a receipt or some of form of acknowledgement of payment.
5. Use common sense. If something sounds too good to be true - it probably is
6. Some buyers send messages as proof of payment, please first log into your account or check mobile money transactions on your phone to verify the money has actually been paid before you hand over the item. Don't believe an email or text messages even though it might look genuine, always verify.

Jobs

1. Meet your prospective employer face to face, ideally at their business place within working hours, or in a public place. take someone with you and meet in a public place. That person should keep details of the phone number of the prospective employer. And if you get employment that requires you to live away from your people, ensure to share your employers contact, business address and copy of the national ID with your family (National ID is very crucial for people employed by individuals, your family and friends should know who has taken you to work for them and should contact the police if they cannot reach you on phone or suspect that something is not a right.)
2. Check the national ID of the prospective employer. You can also search them on the internet. Verify their identity and National ID Number. Open your phone and Dial *197#. Step 2: Choose option 2 of “Check ID Number” or “Validation NIN” in some networks. Step 3: Enter your National ID Number/NIN to verify your identity
3. Do your research. Find out what your entitlements and responsibilities are, including what you should be paid.
4. Be wary of anyone who asks inappropriate questions or gives vague answers.
5. You shouldn’t have to provide your bank or identification details when applying for a job (this should only be once you’ve accepted an offer of employment)
6. Avoid ‘work from home’ jobs which aren’t from well-known organizations

Business services

How to pick a quality business service?

1. Conduct your own independent research
2. Ask questions to ensure the service provider understands the scope of work and is able to execute the work.
3. Consult those more experienced in the area of the service provided to confirm that you are taking on someone who knows what you need and can deliver.
4. Search the business name on the internet and see the feedback against the business or call your states department of fair trading office to see if there are any complaints against the business

Contact several businesses and receive quotes from each. Remember businesses are competing for your business and you should pick the one that you feel comfortable with.

DISCLAIMER

we are a local classifieds website and adverts aren’t reviewed before they go live on the site. We don’t offer any sort of buyer protection / payment programs. Any emails you receive that talk about such systems are scams, even if they may have our logo. If you receive any emails promoting these services, please report it to us. If ever in doubt simply contact us and we'll be happy to help.