Buying and selling locally should feel easy — and safe. Most people on List49 are exactly who they say they are, but a little caution goes a long way. Here’s how to protect yourself.
Meeting in Person
- Choose a public, well-lit location — a busy parking lot, a shopping centre, or your local police station’s designated “safe exchange zone” if your area has one.
- Bring a friend if you can, especially for higher-value items.
- Meet during the day when possible.
- Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it’s okay to cancel or reschedule.
Payment Safety
- Cash in person is safest for local deals — no chargebacks, no fake payment confirmations.
- Never accept a check or e-transfer for more than the asking price with a request to refund the difference — this is a classic scam.
- Never wire money or send gift cards to someone you haven’t met, for any reason. No legitimate seller or buyer will ever ask for this.
- Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true. They usually are.
Red Flags to Watch For
- A buyer or seller who refuses to meet in person or talk on the phone
- Pressure to move the conversation off List49 quickly
- Stories involving shipping, overseas buyers, or “a friend will pick it up for me”
- Requests for personal or financial information beyond what’s needed to complete a simple local transaction
Look for Trust Signals
- The Verified badge shows a user has completed their profile and confirmed their email.
- Paid Member badges show a longer-standing, subscribed member of the community.
- Reviews from past transactions give you a sense of someone’s track record.
None of these are a guarantee — but they’re a helpful signal, and we encourage you to use them.
If Something Goes Wrong
Use the Report button on any listing, message, or profile that concerns you. Our team reviews reports and takes action on accounts that violate our policies. You can also block any user directly from a conversation.
List49 is a platform that connects people — we do our best to keep it safe, but we can’t guarantee the outcome of every interaction. Please review our Terms of Use for more on how this works. When in doubt, prioritize your own safety over completing a deal.