Safety tips

Before you meet

• Meet in a busy public place during the day. Many members meet in a masjid parking lot after salah.
• Bring someone with you for high-value trades, and let family know where you are going.
• Inspect items in person and test electronics before paying.
• Never pay by wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency or money order to someone you have not met.
• Be wary of prices that are far below market, sob stories, and pressure to act quickly.
• For housing, see the property and meet the landlord before paying any deposit, and get the lease in writing.
• For services and jobs, check licenses, insurance and references. Never pay for a job application or training kit.
• Keep conversations on Akhdar until you trust the other person. We never ask for your password or payment details by message.
• Report anything suspicious with the Report link on the listing. Moderators review every report.

Common scam warning signs

• They ask you to pay with gift cards, wire transfer, crypto or a payment app before you have met.
• They send a check for more than the price and ask you to refund the difference.
• They want to move to WhatsApp or email immediately and avoid meeting in person.
• A landlord cannot show the property because they are "traveling" or "overseas".
• A job offer comes without an interview and asks for your bank details or an upfront fee.
• An investment promises guaranteed profit, which is both a red flag and not halal.

If something goes wrong

Stop communicating, keep your messages as a record, report the listing on Akhdar, and contact your local police if you lost money or feel unsafe. In the United States you can also report fraud at reportfraud.ftc.gov.