A few helpful tips when buying on Gumtree: 

If someone wants to move the conversation off the Gumtree platform, to private email, SMS, or WhatsApp, prior to a verbal exchange about the potential transaction, this is highly suspicious.

•   We encourage users to use our Pay & Ship feature - The buyer discovers a Pay & Ship listing they love, selects a preferred delivery method, and securely completes the payment using our trusted payment partner. All of this without having to meet the seller in person. 
 
•    Use the Gumtree chat. The chat helps keep your personal information safe and is never shared with the seller or anyone else. 
 
•    Flag suspicious messages through the Report Conversation option or reach out to our helpdesk.

•    Never provide your personal or banking information (EG: Credit Card or ID number) to others over the Internet.
 
•    Do not pay using any form of anonymous payment services, including: Bidpay, eWallet, Western Union, PayPal or MoneyGram.