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Safe Trade Guide

Tick these off for every trade you pay for yourself. With Safe pay, we hold the money for you.

Safe pay

  1. You ask to buy; the seller accepts.
  2. You pay from your BitoCard wallet. BitoCard holds the money.
  3. You check the item: at a meet-up you give the seller your release code, for a delivery you confirm it arrived.
  4. Not as described, or it never came? Open a dispute and BitoCard decides. If the seller cancels or does not hand it over in time, you are refunded in full, fee included.

BitoCard is not the seller and does not inspect goods. Safe pay is your choice on each purchase, for a small fee shown before you pay.

Before you meet

  • Keep the chat on BitoCard
  • Check the seller's badges
  • The price is close to similar listings
  • Agree the place, time and how you will pay
  • Tell someone where you are going

At the meeting

  • A busy public place, in daylight
  • Inspect and test it with the checks below
  • Check papers and serial numbers
  • Pay only when you are happy; confirm a transfer in your own banking app

If you are selling

  • Hand over only when the money shows in your own account
  • Never trust an SMS alert or a screenshot
  • Refuse overpayments; check cash notes

Checks for each category

Vehicles
  • The papers are in the seller's name: vehicle licence, proof of ownership and customs papers for foreign-used cars
  • The chassis number (VIN) on the car matches the papers
  • Have a mechanic you trust inspect it, and take a test drive
  • Never pay a deposit to "hold" a car you have not seen
  • Pay by transfer once the papers are handed over; confirm it in your own banking app
Property
  • See the title document and check it at the land registry
  • Confirm the agent's or owner's identity, and that they may let or sell it
  • Never pay to view, and never pay before inspecting
  • Get a written agreement, and pay to an account in the owner’s or agency’s name
Phones and tablets
  • It powers on, charges, and the screen, buttons, speakers and cameras work
  • The IMEI in Settings matches the box and is not reported stolen or blacklisted
  • The seller's iCloud or Google account is signed out (Find My is off)
  • Check battery health in Settings, and whether it was ever repaired
  • Pay only when satisfied, and confirm a transfer in your own banking app
Electronics
  • Plug it in or power it on, and test every function
  • Check the serial number, and that it is not damaged or opened
  • Pay only when satisfied, and confirm a transfer in your own banking app
Computers
  • It powers on, and the charger is the right one
  • Check the battery, keyboard, trackpad, ports, screen and storage
  • The previous owner's accounts are removed and it is not locked
  • Check the serial number matches the device and the box
  • Pay only when satisfied, and confirm a transfer in your own banking app
Home and garden
  • Meet in a busy public place in daylight, and tell someone where you are going
  • Inspect it and test it before you pay
  • Pay only when satisfied, and confirm a transfer in your own banking app
  • Never pay in advance for something you have not seen
Fashion
  • Meet in a busy public place in daylight, and tell someone where you are going
  • Inspect it and test it before you pay
  • Pay only when satisfied, and confirm a transfer in your own banking app
  • Never pay in advance for something you have not seen
Health and beauty
  • Meet in a busy public place in daylight, and tell someone where you are going
  • Inspect it and test it before you pay
  • Pay only when satisfied, and confirm a transfer in your own banking app
  • Never pay in advance for something you have not seen
  • Check the seal is intact and the best-before date
Babies and kids
  • Meet in a busy public place in daylight, and tell someone where you are going
  • Inspect it and test it before you pay
  • Pay only when satisfied, and confirm a transfer in your own banking app
  • Never pay in advance for something you have not seen
Sports, hobbies and music
  • Meet in a busy public place in daylight, and tell someone where you are going
  • Inspect it and test it before you pay
  • Pay only when satisfied, and confirm a transfer in your own banking app
  • Never pay in advance for something you have not seen
Agriculture and food
  • Meet in a busy public place in daylight, and tell someone where you are going
  • Inspect it and test it before you pay
  • Pay only when satisfied, and confirm a transfer in your own banking app
  • Never pay in advance for something you have not seen
  • Check the produce and its weight before you pay
Animals and pets
  • See the animal in person and check it is healthy and alert
  • Ask for vaccination records
  • Never pay for delivery of an animal you have not seen
Services
  • Agree the price and what it covers before work starts
  • Pay in stages for big jobs, never everything up front
  • Check reviews and ask for past work
Jobs
  • Never pay to apply, for training or for a uniform
  • Meet at the business address, never a private home
  • Never share your bank details, BVN or ID photos before you are hired
Repair and construction
  • Meet in a busy public place in daylight, and tell someone where you are going
  • Inspect it and test it before you pay
  • Pay only when satisfied, and confirm a transfer in your own banking app
  • Never pay in advance for something you have not seen
Business and industrial
  • Meet in a busy public place in daylight, and tell someone where you are going
  • Inspect it and test it before you pay
  • Pay only when satisfied, and confirm a transfer in your own banking app
  • Never pay in advance for something you have not seen

Red flags

A price far below others, pressure to decide now, a deposit or "delivery fee" first, payment screenshots instead of money, overpaying and asking for change, moving the chat to another app, or asking for any code.

BitoCard never asks for your codes, PINs or passwords, in a chat or anywhere else.