Quick Safety Tips for Bunjoo While most Bunjoo users have great experiences, it's important to stay vigilant and be aware of how to stay safe when buying or selling. Know the Market Before making a purchase, compare prices for similar items. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Fraudsters often post unrealistic prices to attract more buyers, so always be cautious. Do Your Research For high-value items, ensure you're familiar with what should come with the product, and verify that the item is genuine (especially for branded products). If you’re dealing with a service or business, check for reviews and verify their contact information online. Don’t Share Personal Information Never share personal details, banking information, or identification unless you are sure you're dealing with a legitimate seller or company. Bunjoo’s customer service will never ask for such information. Meet in Person Before Paying Always inspect the item in person before completing the transaction. Meet during daylight hours in a busy, public place for added safety. Choose Safe Payment Methods Avoid payment methods that are hard to reverse or that can be easily faked, like wire transfers. PayPal can offer more protection—always double-check that the payment has been processed before handing over the item. Trust Your Gut If something feels off, trust your instincts. You are under no obligation to follow through with a transaction if you feel uncomfortable or unsure. Note: Bunjoo is a local classifieds platform, and not all ads are reviewed before they go live. Always be cautious of any emails or websites claiming to offer extra protection services—they are likely scams. If you receive any suspicious emails, forward them to us right away. This guide is a quick overview of how to stay safe while using Bunjoo. For more detailed safety tips, visit our full Safety section. These tips are concise, clear, and actionable, keeping users safe while using Bunjoo!

When communicating through Bunjoo, we take measures to protect your privacy by masking your email address and implementing additional safeguards to ensure your interactions are with genuine users. However, it’s important to stay vigilant and recognize the warning signs when buying or selling on our platform. They Want to Move the Conversation to a New Platform Fraudsters may try to avoid Bunjoo’s security measures by requesting that you leave the platform and contact them via a private email or other messaging apps. If a seller or buyer asks you to communicate through their personal email instead of using Bunjoo’s messaging system, be cautious. Note: While some requests to move to a different platform can be legitimate, if they refuse to communicate anywhere other than their personal email, it’s best to move on. Ask to speak with them directly over the phone if they won’t use Bunjoo messages. They Can’t Meet In Person Scammers often avoid in-person meetings to protect their anonymity. They may offer an elaborate excuse, such as working on an offshore oil rig or being deployed in the military. If a buyer or seller insists that they can’t meet face-to-face, it’s a major red flag. They Rush the Process Fraudsters want to rush the transaction before you have time to think things through. As a buyer, they may push you to send money immediately. As a seller, they may give brief responses and try to hurry you into accepting their payment. Always take your time and don’t feel pressured to complete the transaction quickly. They Skip Details Since scammers aren’t interested in buying or selling the item, they often won’t ask detailed or item-specific questions. If they do ask, their questions may be vague and rushed. They might use generic terms like "the item" or "your vehicle" instead of referencing the specifics of what you're offering. For example, a message might say, “I would like to buy your Honda Civic 2016 Blue” without any further details. Watch for these signs of a lack of genuine interest. Too Good to be True Deals Fraudsters often lure victims with irresistible deals. If you’re a buyer and offer less than the asking price, they may immediately accept. If you're selling, they may offer to pay more than your asking price or want to buy everything you have for sale. They may even insist that you remove the ad to "ensure the sale." Odd Payment Requests Since fraudsters usually avoid in-person meetings, they often request unconventional payment methods. Be cautious if they ask for payment through services like MoneyGram or Western Union, or insist on using PayPal’s Friends & Family option (which offers no buyer or seller protection). There are two common scams aimed at buyers: They ask for payment before meeting in person. They request a deposit for an item you haven’t seen. For sellers, here are three common scams: They insist you ship the item before receiving payment. They send a fake payment notification and ask you to transfer funds back to them before the full payment clears. They send a fake payment notification and ask you to wire money to a shipping company, even directing you to a specific company and account number. What to Do If you recognize any of these red flags, do not proceed with the transaction. Instead, contact Bunjoo’s customer support team immediately to report any suspicious activity. This version keeps the key safety tips relevant to Bunjoo’s platform while maintaining clarity and actionability for users.

Once you’ve agreed on the details and are ready to finalize the transaction, meeting in person is essential. Meeting face-to-face allows you to inspect the item one last time, reduces the risk of scams, and ensures a smooth exchange for both parties. Agree on a Safe Location For your safety, avoid meeting at your home unless absolutely necessary. It’s best to meet in a public location, especially if the exchange happens in the evening. Choose places with plenty of light, other people around, and if possible, security cameras. Coffee shops, fast food restaurants, or even the parking lot of a police station are great options for a safe meet-up. Bring a Friend It’s always a good idea to bring a friend or family member with you when meeting up for a trade. They can offer company and help make sure everything goes as planned. Having someone else with you can also provide additional safety during the exchange. Inspect What You're Buying Carefully Even if you’ve received pictures of the item and the seller assures you it’s in perfect condition, be sure to inspect the item thoroughly when you meet. Even the most genuine sellers might miss small issues like stains, cracks, or other imperfections. If you're purchasing a vehicle, consider having a mechanic inspect it with you to ensure everything is in working order. Seller's Responsibility As a seller, it’s just as important to ensure that the buyer inspects the item thoroughly. Encourage them to check the condition, test any features, and be aware of any wear and tear before finalizing the deal. This helps prevent misunderstandings later and ensures both parties are aware of the item's true condition. Once both parties are satisfied with the item’s condition, it's time to proceed with the payment. For tips on secure payment methods, keep reading about safe payments. This version maintains the key safety points while aligning with Bunjoo’s platform and user expectations.