Gumtree is where millions of South Africans buy, sell, swap, and connect every day. Most transactions go smoothly. But like any marketplace - online or off - it pays to know the rules of the road.
Here is your full guide, by category.
Buying and selling
- Meet in person, always. Gumtree is a local classifieds site - that is the whole point. The safest transaction is one where you see the item, check it over, and hand over cash in person. Bring a friend if you can, and meet somewhere public. Shoprite Money Market Kiosks are a popular and safe choice.
Use Pay Online for extra peace of mind. For higher-value transactions, Gumtree Pay Online holds your payment in escrow until you confirm you are happy with what you received. Your money does not reach the seller until you give the thumbs up. It also works with Pargo for door-to-door delivery, so you never have to meet a stranger to collect. Look for the Pay Online option on qualifying listings.
- Never hand over goods before payment clears. An EFT notification on your phone is not the same as money in your account. Wait until your bank confirms the funds have actually landed before you release anything. Never hand goods to an Uber or delivery driver acting on behalf of a buyer you have not verified. If a buyer wants to use Pay Online, take them up on it - it protects both of you.
- Do not wire money to strangers. This covers EFT to unfamiliar accounts, gift cards, eWallet, Western Union, PayPal, Skrill, and MoneyGram. If a buyer or seller pushes you toward any of these instead of Pay Online, cash, or a normal bank transfer you can't verify in person, treat that as a red flag.
- Never share your banking or card details. No legitimate seller or buyer needs your credit card number, PIN, or online banking login. Ever.
- Use common sense. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. A brand-new iPhone for R500. A car worth R200 000 listed at R80 000. These are hooks, not bargains.
- Report anything suspicious. Use the Report this ad button on any listing that looks off. Our team reviews every report. You can also contact us directly via the Help Centre.
Tickets
Buying or selling event tickets comes with its own set of risks. A few things to check before any money moves:
- Verify the ticket with the official event organiser before you buy. Some events require the original buyer's ID at the door, which means a resold ticket is worthless.
- Be cautious with printed tickets. A dishonest seller can print multiple copies and sell to several buyers - only the first person through the gate gets in.
- Check the resale policy. Some tickets have terms that restrict or void resale. Confirm with the organiser before you list or buy.
- Do not pay before you have confirmed the ticket is valid and has not been cancelled.
Pets
- Never send money without seeing the animal in person first. The overseas-seller-who-will-ship-the-puppy scam is very real and very common.
- Ask for a vet card confirming the animal's age, vaccinations, and health check. A responsible seller will have this ready.
- Make sure the listing complies with Gumtree's pet policies. If something looks off, report it.
- Familiarise yourself with the latest scam trends - the methods change but the patterns stay the same.
Accommodation
- View the property in person before you pay anything. Anyone who wants a deposit without a viewing is a red flag. This applies even if they have a convincing story - overseas work, family emergency, you name it. Legitimate landlords understand that tenants need to see a property first.
- Do not wire a deposit via EFT, Western Union, MoneyGram, or any other transfer service before you have been inside the property. Gumtree does not offer a general buyer protection programme for rental transactions - if you receive an email claiming otherwise, report it to us immediately.
- If you are a landlord inviting someone to view your property, ask to see their ID first.
Jobs
- Research the company independently before engaging with a job ad - search the name, look for reviews, check their website.
- Meet your prospective employer or employee face to face before any commitment is made.
- You should never need to provide your bank account details when applying for a job. That information is only relevant once you have accepted an offer and started work.
- You should never pay money to apply for or interview for a job. Any ad that asks for this is a scam - report it to our helpdesk.
Make sure there is a real email address available for contact. If fax is the only option listed, something is off.
Vehicles
When buying
- Do not pay a deposit before you have seen the vehicle in person.
- Run a NATIS check before you get too invested. It confirms whether the car is stolen, under finance, or has a title dispute. Licensed providers include eNaTIS, Lightstone Auto, TransUnion Auto, and WesBank. It costs R30 to R80 and takes minutes.
- Check that the VIN on the car matches the registration and roadworthy documents. Inconsistencies are a serious red flag.
- Check the service history. Ask to see the service book.
- Make sure there is no outstanding finance. If there is, get a bank settlement letter before you pay anything.
- The SAPS or Metro Police can verify a vehicle's VIN, chassis, and engine numbers free of charge.
When selling
- Do not hand over the vehicle until payment has fully cleared.
- Meet in a public place and take someone with you.
- Always accompany the buyer on test drives - do not let someone drive off alone.
Got questions or spotted something suspicious? Contact us via the
Help Centre. In the case of fraud or illegal activity, we also recommend opening a case with SAPS at
saps.gov.za or 10111.
Frequently asked questions
Does Gumtree offer buyer protection?
Yes - through Pay Online. When you pay via
Gumtree Pay Online Securely, your funds are held in escrow and only released to the seller once you confirm you are happy with the item. It also integrates with Pargo for delivery. For direct cash or EFT transactions between users, escrow does not apply - which is why we recommend Pay Online for any transaction where you are not meeting face to face.
Does Gumtree work with law enforcement?
Yes. Gumtree works with local and international law enforcement agencies to assist in criminal investigations. We will always cooperate where legally required and where doing so helps keep the platform safe.
I received a suspicious email claiming to be from Gumtree - is it real?
Gumtree will never ask you to click a link to re-enter your login details, share a verification code, or send money to claim a prize. If an email looks off, forward it to us via the
Help Centre before clicking anything.