Meet-up safety guide
Most meet-ups go smoothly, but it pays to be careful. Take a minute to read these tips before you meet someone to trade.
Pick a safe place
- Meet somewhere public and busy with CCTV, such as a shopping mall, outside a convenience store or near a market.
- Meet in daylight if you can. Avoid homes, car parks and quiet places.
- For large or valuable items, bring a friend.
Before you meet
- Keep talking in Macket chat so there's a record. Don't rush to move to another app.
- Check the other person's profile: the verified badge, reviews and how long they've been a member.
- Tell family or a friend where you're going, when, and who you're meeting.
- Never share your ID number, bank details or a verification code sent to your phone.
At the meet-up
- Check the item before paying: switch it on, try it, look for damage. For phones, make sure iCloud or Google is signed out.
- Count cash face to face. With MPay or a bank transfer, confirm the money arrived in your own app; don't trust screenshots.
- Never pay a deposit to someone you haven't met, or pay first and wait for them to post the item.
Watch for these scams
- A price that's too good to be true, with pressure to decide now.
- Asking you to pay a deposit, shipping or a "guarantee" first.
- A link asking you to pay or enter bank details.
- Claiming they "overpaid" and asking you to refund the difference.
- Asking for a verification code sent to your phone.
Renting or buying a home
- Don't pay any deposit before you've seen the property in person.
- Check the person owns it or may rent it out: ask to see the property registration report and their ID.
- Read the lease carefully before signing, and use a licensed estate agent if you need help.
If something feels wrong
- Walk away if you feel uncomfortable. No deal is worth the risk.
- Report the person from their profile or the chat, and we'll follow up.
- In an emergency, call 999 or 110. If you think you've been scammed, call the Judiciary Police anti-fraud hotline on 8800 7777.