How to stay safe as a buyer
Meet in a public place, check the item before you pay, use traceable payment, and trust your gut — most of it is common sense.
The most important advice
- Meet in a public place in daylight. A shopping centre, a petrol station or an open square is safe. Feel free to bring a friend.
- Check the item before you pay. Look, touch, try it out. Does it match the listing and the photos?
- Use traceable payment. A bank transfer gives you a receipt and a trail you can point to afterwards.
- Trust your gut. If something feels wrong, walk away. There will always be another listing.
Things you should never do
- Never pay in advance to someone you don't know, and never for an item you haven't seen.
- Never share your online-banking credentials, passwords or one-time codes — with anyone. Ever. A genuine seller will never ask for these.
- Don't fall for offers that are too good to be true. If the price is suspiciously low, there is usually a reason.
- Don't let yourself be rushed. Pressure that you "have to decide right now" is a classic scam trick.
Bigger purchases — cars and homes
For cars: check the registration certificate and service history, write a purchase contract, and complete the change of ownership with Transport Malta. For homes: go to the viewing, review the available documentation, and use a notary — and, where appropriate, a lawyer — for the contract and settlement. More in Safe trading.
If something feels wrong
Use the Report listing link at the bottom of the listing. See also How to avoid scams.
Read the full guide in Safe trading.