How to avoid getting scammed

When I started trading online I didn't know what to look out for / how to avoid scams and ended up getting scammed for ~$800 total. I figured I should post this since I haven't gotten scammed in ~3+ years now using these methods and this might help people that are new to sythe/trading.

I'm going to use the term trusted a few times in this guide so here's how I determine if someone is trusted:
For trades under $100:
- A minimum of 50 vouches
- A minimum of $50 donated
- Member for at least 1 year

For trades over $100 I highly recommend using a trusted middleman:
- At least 200 vouches
- At least $200 donated
- At least 1000 post count
- Member for at least 1 year
There are many users that meet this criteria and offer a free middleman service here: MiddleMan Forums

1. Lookout for impostors:

• Double check skype usernames. For example:

Correct skype: live:killswitch.sythe
Impostor: live.killswitch.sythe (using live. instead of live: )
Impostor: live:killswltch.sythe (watch out for people using different letters that look similar, using a lowercase L instead of i)
Impostor: live:killswitch.syhte (watch out for people using common typos)

• Always request a PM. Even if their skype matches their sythe account it's best to always request a pm, even if you've traded with them before. It's unlikely but a user's skype could be hacked while their sythe account isn't. You should never trade with someone that refuses to send you a PM.

2. Lookout for ban evaders:

• Search their skype username/email/alias in google to check if they have any banned accounts on sythe or other forums.

An example of a scam that I avoided because I took ~10 seconds to search his email in google: sexelady

• Avoid trading suspicious users. Especially users that refuse to use a trusted middleman for whatever reason/excuse.

3. Other tips for safe trading:

• Check the report a scammer section(s) before trading. Just in case a trusted sythe user is hacked or decides to scamquit.. it's very unlikely but it does does happen. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Report A Scammer
Report A Ban Evader
Report a Scammer Archive

• Only accept paypal from trusted users. If the user you want to trade isn't trusted but you absolutely need paypal for whatever reason I highly recommend setting up a bitcoin account and selling your btc to trusted users for paypal.

How to use bitcoin: [GUIDE] First Time: Bitcoin.
Sell bitcoin: Digital Currency and Non-Game Sales

 

Awesome guide! I recommend adding three things off of the top of my head:

How recent their vouches are. Join date is nice, yes, but not when people buy hacked accounts (fbegfx comes to mind)
If something is too good to be true, it probably is.
Any and all accounts are and always will have a risk of recovery. I recommend upping your "trusted" user standards for buying accounts, because "semi-trusted" people have often been seen selling a decent amount of accounts and recovering them back (befriend comes to mind).

Overall great guide, hope it helps a few people!

 

awesome tips

 

Lovely guide, thanks. Just a heads up to everyone I see alot of people selling their RuneScape account and telling people they only accept PayPal from trusted users, but eventually they still accept PayPal from newcomers. Get the money off your mind and stick to your own rules. Always choose safety first. Those few extra pounds don't matter once it all gets chargebacked.

Also, rest in peace D34D PK3R.

 

bumping

 

I found it ironic he was banned lol

 

thanks will 100% take some of this advice into account great tips

 

Thanks for sharing this useful information with me.

 

thank you, good guide for new users! I will not get scammed now

 

Wow, this is a really nice and detailed guide. I appreciate the fact that you shared this with us. Thx!

 

ty

 

This is a really good guide how long did it take you to make?

 

read everything, some cool tips in there for beginners that are finding legit stuff

 

Half of the ppl that posted on this thread are already banned. What a shame

 

Very well written and thought out guide, will definitely help me once I start buying/selling here on again in the near future.

Thanks for posting this Killswitch.

 

always use trusted midleman if you want to never get scammed

 

Great little guide thank you very much

 

Very nice thread, Very new to sythe but has helped me alot.
Thanks for the info, Will be for sure to stay looking at this thread before anything transactions i do.

 

nice

 

Great guide, very useful.