TradinPost.com Fraud Awareness Guide

Awareness is your best defense. While there is no foolproof way to prevent fraud, staying informed protects you and the community. TradinPost.com is a listing venue only; we never facilitate, guarantee, or handle payments for transactions.

🛑 The "Never" List: Our Firm Policies

To protect yourself, remember that Peoria Post, Inc. (TradinPost.com) NEVER:

• Gets involved in transactions between buyers and sellers.

• Offers escrow, "buyer protection," or secure payment services.

• Owns, buys, sells, or ships any items or vehicles listed on the site.

• Has "warehouses" for vehicle storage.

• Asks for your password, Social Security number, or bank details via email.

• Requires a payment to enter sweepstakes or contests.

🚩 Red Flags: How to Spot a Scam

If you encounter any of the following, stop the transaction immediately and report it.

1. The "Too Good to Be True" Price

If a high-value item or vehicle is listed significantly below market value, it is almost certainly a scam designed to lure you into a quick "deposit."

2. Request for Untraceable Payments

Scammers will pressure you to pay via methods that cannot be reversed. Avoid sellers who insist on:

• Wire transfers (Western Union, MoneyGram).

• Digital apps (Zelle, Venmo, CashApp) for people you haven't met in person.

• Gift cards (iTunes, Google Play, Amazon).

• Cryptocurrency.

3. Fake "TradinPost" Emails

Be wary of emails that use our logo to "confirm" a sale or "guarantee" your money. These are spoofed. We do not endorse any specific buyer, seller, or listing.

4. Overpayment Schemes (For Sellers)

A buyer sends a certified check for more than the asking price and asks you to wire the "extra" money back or pay a "shipper." The check will eventually bounce, leaving you responsible for the full amount.

🛡️ Best Practices for Safe Trading

For Buyers:

• Inspect in Person: Never buy an item or vehicle sight-unseen. Meet in a well-lit, public place (like a police station "safe exchange" zone).

• Verify Value: Research the market value of the item/vehicle.

• Check History: For vehicles, obtain a VIN history report (e.g., Carfax) and verify the title is in the seller's name.

• Use Secure Escrow: If you must use escrow, use Escrow.com. Do not trust any other service recommended by a stranger.

For Sellers:

• Confirm Contact Info: Speak with the buyer over the phone before meeting.

• Wait for Clearance: If accepting a check, wait for your bank to fully verify the funds (this can take days) before handing over the item.

• Trust Your Gut: If a buyer is in a rush or refuses to meet in person, walk away.

📢 How to Report Fraud

If you are the victim of a scam or receive a suspicious message, please take these three steps:

• Step 1: Email us at staff@tradinpost.com. Please forward suspicious emails exactly as they are—do not change the subject line or send them as attachments, as this helps us track trends.

• Step 2: File a report with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov.

• Step 3: Contact your local law enforcement agency to file a formal police report.

🔗 Trusted Resources

• IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center): ic3.gov

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): reportfraud.ftc.gov

• Better Business Bureau (BBB): bbb.org/scamtracker

• National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB): nicb.org (To check for flood/salvage vehicles)