Safety Centre

Don't be fooled by what looks like an unbelievable bargain. Let your common sense and intuition guide you when choosing a good deal. If an item is advertised at an extremely low price – it may be damaged, stolen or non-existent.

If you suspect a listing is fraudulent or of an illicit/ explicit nature, please tell us so we can take it down. You can report it by using the "report it here now" link at the bottom of each ad listing.

Arrange to meet the seller, accompanied by someone, in a local public place to ensure the item meets your expectations before exchanging payments.

We don't recommend paying for an item you haven't seen, however if you decide to go down this route, ensure you use a secure payment method such as PayPal. Vivastreet does not act as a payment or transactions intermediary.

It's never wise to carry large sums of money around with you, even less so when strangers know about it. Once you've inspected the item and are happy with it, head to your nearest bank and pull out the cash or arrange to meet the seller somewhere safe to exchange payments.

Keep a record of the emails and conversations you have with a buyer. Ensure you record as much detail as possible so you can easily track your progress.

Try to fill in the entire posting form so your ad contains as much detail as possible.

Images instantly make your ad appealing and stand out. Uploading multiple good quality photos increases your chances of ad success. Photos show clarity and authenticity which is important for buyers.

Include a detailed description of your item or service on the posting form, specifying clearly and accurately your offer. Being brief or illusive will lead to people treating your ad suspiciously.

Do not include content that violates our terms and conditions. If in doubt, please check our terms and conditions before uploading your ad.

Keep an eye on all responses to your ad – answering questions about your item or service as quickly as possible. Have additional images available in case a customer wishes to view additional photos and if you get asked the same question more than once, consider updating your ad description.

Where possible, ensure you have as much documentation available to prove authenticity of ownership.

Viewings should be done during the day only. Not only is this the safest option but ensures viewers a clear and accurate picture of the property.

Neither buyers nor sellers should attend viewings alone – ensure someone is always with you. If you can't get anyone to accompany you, let someone know the time of the viewing and the address. Arrange to contact them at a designated time so that they know you are safe. Plan for what they should do if you fail to call at the appointed time.

If for any reason you don't feel comfortable entering a home – make an excuse and leave immediately. It's important to assess the situation and trust your instincts. Do not be persuaded by formalities.

It's important to be friendly but avoid getting too familiar in case it gives the wrong impression. Be confident, controlled and professional in your approach – whether you are a buyer, looking to rent or a seller.

Do not make any payments until you receive a formal written contract which has been signed and fully agreed by all parties. Some fraudsters ask for payments even before a viewing takes place – do not be deceived by their promises of a property/ rental agreement that sounds too good to be true – it usually is!

You may receive an email from an interested buyer asking you to call a premium rate telephone number, often starting with 0844, 0870 and 0871. Do not call – it may be a scam to charge you money for a high-rate telephone call.

Whether you're a tenant or a landlord, it's important to meet the other party before agreeing to a rental contract. This will give you the chance to ask important questions for your personal safety and judge the legitimacy of their offer. Warning signs should be alerted when a landlord tells you they can't meet you as they are abroad a lot – this may be a scam.

Don't be fooled by what looks like an unbelievable bargain. Let your common sense and instincts guide you when choosing your vehicle. If it has been advertised at an extremely low price, significantly lower than market value – it may be severely damaged, stolen or non-existent.

It's important to meet the seller, drive and inspect the vehicle thoroughly before agreeing to a sale – ideally during the day so you can spot any damage clearly. Do not go alone but if this is unavoidable tell someone where you're going, include your viewing time and seller's address.

It pays to have an HPI check when purchasing a second hand vehicle. This provides private buyers, dealers, finance houses, and the insurance industry with access to information on all UK registered vehicles. It will help you determine whether a vehicle has been clocked, stolen or is a repaired insurance write off and ensure that it is legal and will belong to the people who buy them.

Check the seller's address and vehicle identification numbers are the same as the ones listed on the registration documents. Check its service history and MOT certificates – original copies with watermarks not photocopies. It's important to do this before agreeing to a sale. Click Here to see the government's guidelines on carrying out MOT and history checks.

Some fraudsters ask for a payment to be made before the delivery of the vehicle. Refrain from making any purchases related to transportation costs until you've legitimately received your vehicle.

We recommend paying for the vehicle when you collect it from the seller. Do not use a money transfer service as it's the fraudster's preferred method of acquiring the money illegally.

You may receive an email from an interested buyer asking you to call a premium rate telephone number, often starting with 0844, 0870 and 0871. Do not call – it is a scam to charge you money for a high-rate telephone call to a non-existent buyer.

It's important to check that a buyer has a valid driving license and insurance cover before they test drive the vehicle. Ensure you accompany them on the test drive to avoid theft or unnecessary damage to the vehicle.

It's important to take necessary precautions to avoid becoming a victim of fraud including:

• Hold the vehicle keys at all times
• Never leave the keys in the ignition
• Keep a close eye on the prospective buyer at all times

Online bank transfers may be the safest way to receive money as you avoid handling large amounts of cash and problems associated with forged, cancelled or stolen cheques. Cash is also a good method of payment. Ask for the cash to be handed to you at your local bank, where forgeries can be checked and cash can be paid in to your account immediately. If this is not possible however head to the Bank of England website where you can find out more info about counterfeit banknotes.

Conduct a thorough search on the company or organisation advertising the job vacancy. Not only will you gain a good insight about the organisation which will help in an interview but also the legitimacy of the role.

Beware of any employer offering you a job without having met you face-to-face first. Skype calls are helpful if the role requires remote working.

Wait until you have formally accepted the role and started working at the organisation to disclose your bank account and all other person details. Reputable companies will never ask for these details prior to you joining.

It is very rare that a legitimate organisation will need you to make any form of payment before starting your role. If however you are being asked to make a payment for either training or starter kits for example, then take caution as this may be a scam.

You may receive an email from an interested party asking you to call them back using a premium rate telephone number, often starting with 0844, 0870 and 0871. Do not call – it is a scam to charge you money for a high-rate telephone call to a non-existent job-seeker/ employer.