Safety Best Practices
Your safety is our priority. Learn essential safety measures, recognize common scams, and protect yourself while buying and selling on Classiry Nigeria. Trade with confidence using these proven safety strategies.
Safe Meeting Practices
Choose Safe Locations
Where you meet can make the difference between a safe transaction and a dangerous situation. Always prioritize your safety over convenience.
Well-lit, busy areas with security presence. Perfect for most transactions.
Secure environment with CCTV and security. Ideal for high-value items.
Maximum security for expensive or risky transactions.
Public spaces with good visibility and foot traffic.
AVOID: Isolated locations increase risk significantly.
NEVER: Poor visibility creates dangerous situations.
Meeting Safety Protocol
🛡️ Essential Safety Steps:
- Always meet during daylight hours (8 AM – 6 PM)
- Bring a trusted friend or family member
- Inform someone of your exact location and timing
- Arrive early to assess the meeting area
- Keep your phone charged and accessible
- Trust your instincts – leave if something feels wrong
- Park in well-lit, busy areas with easy exit routes
Before You Meet
📋 Pre-Meeting Checklist:
- Verify the seller/buyer: Check their profile and previous listings
- Confirm meeting details: Exact time, location, and contact number
- Research the item: Know the market value and specifications
- Plan your route: Know how to get there and back safely
- Set time limits: Don’t wait more than 15 minutes for no-shows
Payment Security
Safe Payment Methods
How you handle payment can protect you from fraud and disputes. Choose secure methods and follow best practices.
✅ SAFE
Cash (In-Person)Best for face-to-face transactions. Verify bills for counterfeits on expensive items.
✅ SAFE
Bank TransferSecure when verified before release. Use major Nigerian banks with immediate confirmation.
⚠️ CAUTION
Mobile Money/POSVerify transaction completion before handing over items. Check your account balance.
❌ AVOID
Wire TransfersHigh fraud risk. Difficult to trace and recover if scammed.
❌ AVOID
ChecksCan bounce or be forged. No immediate verification possible.
❌ AVOID
CryptocurrencyIrreversible and unregulated. High risk for casual transactions.
Payment Security Rules
💰 Payment Protection Guidelines:
- Never send payment before seeing the item in person
- Verify bank transfers in real-time before releasing items
- Count cash carefully and check for counterfeit bills
- Get receipts for all electronic transactions
- For expensive items, meet at the bank for transfers
- Never pay upfront fees or “processing charges”
- Avoid overpayment scenarios with “refund” requests
⚠️ Payment Red Flags:
- Requests for payment before meeting
- Insistence on specific payment methods only
- Urgency to complete payment immediately
- Overpayment with refund requests
- Payment through unfamiliar platforms
- Requests for personal banking information
Scam Recognition & Prevention
Common Scam Types
Educate yourself about common scams to avoid becoming a victim. Scammers constantly evolve their tactics.
🚨 Common Scam Scenarios
Buyer sends more money than agreed, asks for refund of difference. The original payment is fraudulent.
Buyer claims to be out of town, offers extra money for shipping. Usually involves fake payments.
Scammer shows fake payment confirmation or receipt. Always verify in your own account.
Items priced way below market value. Often stolen goods or bait for larger scams.
Seller requests upfront payment for “delivery,” “insurance,” or “processing.” Item doesn’t exist.
Requests for copies of ID, bank details, or personal information for “verification.”
Scammer Behavior Patterns
🚩 Major Red Flags:
- Poor grammar and spelling in messages
- Refuses to meet in person or talk on phone
- Creates urgency with time pressure
- Asks for personal or financial information
- Profile has no history or very new account
- Prices significantly below market value
- Wants to move conversation off platform immediately
- Stories change or don’t add up
- Requests upfront payments or fees
- Claims to be traveling or military overseas
Protecting Yourself
🛡️ Anti-Scam Strategies:
- Research the person’s profile and listing history
- Verify contact information and identity when possible
- Meet in person for all high-value transactions
- Never give out personal or financial information
- Trust your instincts if something feels wrong
- Verify all payments in your account before proceeding
- Keep all communication through Classiry platform initially
- Report suspicious behavior immediately
Safe Communication
Platform vs. Personal Communication
How and where you communicate affects your safety and protection.
📱 Communication Best Practices:
- Start on platform: Keep initial conversations within Classiry
- Share phone carefully: Only give number to serious, verified buyers
- Avoid personal details: Don’t share home address, workplace, or personal schedule
- Document agreements: Keep written records of all agreements
- Professional tone: Maintain business-like communication
Phone Safety
📞 Phone Communication Guidelines:
- Don’t answer calls from unknown international numbers
- Be cautious of callers asking for personal information
- Verify the caller’s identity before sharing details
- Record important conversation details in writing
- End calls that make you uncomfortable
- Don’t provide financial information over phone
Digital Safety
💻 Online Safety Measures:
- Use strong, unique passwords for your account
- Enable two-factor authentication when available
- Log out from shared or public devices
- Regularly review your account activity
- Don’t click suspicious links in messages
- Keep your browser and apps updated
- Use secure networks for transactions
Personal Information Protection
What to Keep Private
Protecting your personal information is crucial for your safety and security.
🔒 NEVER Share These Details:
- Full home address (general area is sufficient)
- Bank account numbers or credit card details
- National ID numbers or passport information
- Your workplace name and address
- Personal schedule or when you’re away from home
- Family member details or children’s information
- Social media passwords or personal accounts
- Financial status or income information
What’s Safe to Share
✅ Safe Information for Transactions:
- First name only (avoid full names initially)
- General area or neighborhood (not exact address)
- Phone number for serious inquiries
- Item-specific information and photos
- Meeting preferences and availability
- General business or professional background if relevant
Identity Verification vs. Privacy
⚖️ Balancing Trust and Privacy:
- Build trust gradually through consistent communication
- Use Classiry’s verification systems when available
- Share additional details only with serious buyers/sellers
- Verify the other party’s identity before sharing yours
- Meet in person before sharing sensitive information
Emergency Procedures
When Things Go Wrong
Know what to do if you encounter dangerous situations or feel threatened.
🚨 Emergency Contacts Nigeria
Immediate Safety Actions
⚡ If You Feel Unsafe:
- Leave the area immediately – don’t worry about being rude
- Move to a well-lit, populated area
- Call someone to inform them of your situation
- Don’t go to secluded areas to “talk privately”
- Trust your instincts – they’re usually right
- Document the incident (photos, messages, descriptions)
- Report to authorities if you feel threatened
Post-Incident Actions
📝 After a Safety Incident:
- Report the user to Classiry immediately
- Provide detailed information about the incident
- Save all communications and evidence
- File a police report if laws were broken
- Block the user on all platforms
- Warn other community members if appropriate
- Seek support if you were traumatized
Reporting & Support
When to Report Issues
Help keep the Classiry community safe by reporting suspicious activity and violations.
📢 Report These Immediately:
- Threatening or aggressive behavior
- Suspected scam attempts or fraud
- Requests for personal/financial information
- Inappropriate or sexual content
- Suspected stolen goods
- Fake or misleading listings
- Identity impersonation
- Harassment or discrimination
How to Report Effectively
📋 Reporting Best Practices:
- Be specific: Provide detailed descriptions of the issue
- Include evidence: Screenshots, messages, photos
- Provide user information: Username, listing ID, contact details
- Timeline: When did the incident occur?
- Follow up: Check on the status of your report
- Additional context: Any relevant background information
What Happens After You Report
⚖️ Our Response Process:
- Immediate review: All reports reviewed within 24 hours
- Investigation: Detailed examination of evidence provided
- Action taken: Warnings, suspensions, or permanent bans
- Follow-up: You’ll be notified of actions taken
- Prevention: Measures to prevent future incidents
Stay Safe, Trade Smart
Apply these safety practices to every transaction and help build a secure community for everyone!
Post Safely Now Report an IssueSafety Support Team
Our dedicated safety team is here to help you with any security concerns or incidents.
Last Updated: June 3, 2025 | Classiry Nigeria – Trade with Confidence