⚠WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY BULLSHIT YOU GET YOURSELF INTO. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHATEVER YOU GET YOURSELF INTO!⚠ (we'd love to know about it though)

The mod team works hard to ban scammers, but it’s essential for buyers to stay alert. We’ve seen an increase in scam attempts, so here are some practical tips to help protect yourself. If you encounter a scam, report it to the mods via Modmail and include screenshots of the conversation and payment details for review.

Best ways to protect yourself:

Scammers can target both buyers and sellers, so it's important to stay alert. Whether you’re offering or requesting services, following these guidelines will help protect you from falling victim to scams. Here’s how you can safeguard yourself on either side:

1. Stay in the Comments Section First:
   • For initial interactions, stick to the comments section of posts to establish transparency. If someone moves directly to DMs without any public interaction, it can be a red flag for both buyers and sellers. This behavior may indicate the person has been banned from the community or is trying to avoid scrutiny. Always verify their standing in the community first.
2. Check Each Other's Reddit History:
   • Before entering any transaction, review the other party's Reddit activity. Have they been active for a while, or is their post history sparse and rushed? Whether you're a buyer or seller, someone with an established, consistent posting history is more likely to be legitimate. Look for suspicious patterns like sudden bursts of activity or minimal posts. Also, check for any links, and make sure they align with their posts or profile.
3. Request SFW Verification:
   • For both buyers and sellers, ask for a simple SFW verification video or photo to ensure the other party is genuine. Sellers should also ask for verification from buyers to ensure they're serious and not scammers. If the person is unwilling to provide this, reconsider the transaction—it’s a good indicator of their authenticity.
4. Observe How They Interact:
   • Pay attention to how the person engages with others. Are their interactions positive and respectful? Have past transactions led to complaints or raised red flags? Whether you’re buying or selling, social proof is a good indicator of whether the other person can be trusted. Their online reputation is critical—watch how they maintain it.
5. Ask Questions and Clarify Everything:
   • Both buyers and sellers should ask detailed questions before any transaction. Clarify all terms, including payment methods, timelines, and what is expected. If the other person is evasive or vague, take caution. Once money or services are exchanged, it’s difficult to resolve issues, or could end up in termination of accounts, so make sure everything is clear upfront.
6. Beware of Too-Good-to-Be-True Offers:
   • Whether you’re a buyer or seller, an offer that sounds too good to be true often is. Lowball offers from buyers can indicate a lack of seriousness, while sellers offering extremely cheap services could be scams. Trustworthy buyers and sellers value their services or money, so reasonable pricing coupled with actions that match their words often reflects higher reliability and professionalism.
7. Trust Your Instincts:
   • If something feels off, it probably is. Scammers thrive on rushing people into bad decisions. Take your time, ask questions, and don’t let anyone pressure you into a deal that doesn’t feel right. Protect yourself by trusting your instincts and doing extra research if needed.

⚠Report Suspicious Activity:

Both buyers and sellers should report any suspicious activity to the mod team with evidence (such as screenshots). We rely on the community to maintain a safe environment. By staying vigilant and following these steps, you can greatly reduce the risk of scams on either side of the transaction. Trust your gut, take precautions, and always prioritize your safety in online dealings.