Most fraud and deception attempts can be avoided by following basic safety rules:
1. Make sure you are dealing with Obyava.org
If a link asks you to enter your phone number to access Obyava.org, do not do so. Money will likely be deducted from your account.
If a link asks you to enter your phone number to access Obyava.org, do not do so. Money will likely be deducted from your account.
2. Beware of offers that seem too good to be true
If the price seems unusually low, trust your intuition — it may be a counterfeit or low-quality item.
If the price seems unusually low, trust your intuition — it may be a counterfeit or low-quality item.
3. Choose items you can buy near your location
If the seller demands prepayment and claims the item is in another country or city, it's better to find someone willing to meet in person.
If the seller demands prepayment and claims the item is in another country or city, it's better to find someone willing to meet in person.
4. Never share your passport number, bank card details, or other personal data
If someone tries to convince you otherwise — this is the first sign you are dealing with dishonest buyers or sellers.
If someone tries to convince you otherwise — this is the first sign you are dealing with dishonest buyers or sellers.
5. Meet the seller in person at a safe location
This minimizes the risk of being deceived — you can inspect the item's quality yourself.
This minimizes the risk of being deceived — you can inspect the item's quality yourself.
6. Carefully check banknotes in bright light
This will prevent you from receiving counterfeit money for your item.
This will prevent you from receiving counterfeit money for your item.
Common Fraud Schemes
Shipping items with prepayment
The seller refuses to meet in person and will only sell the item by shipping it via mail or transport company with full or partial prepayment. Often, after prepayment, it is impossible to get your money back. We recommend finding a similar item locally or using a trusted seller or store.
Request to reply to an SMS
You receive an SMS from SarVita asking or demanding that you send a text to a short number — allegedly because you have received responses to your ad or your account has been blocked. If you send a message to such a short number, money will be deducted from your account and cannot be returned. We recommend not responding to such messages and contacting Obyava.org Support or your mobile operator with a complaint.
Job offers requiring mandatory prepayment
After an interview, you are asked to pay a small amount "for contract signing," "information services," "medical certificate," "office pass," or "training materials for remote work." No reputable organization will take money from a future employee in advance. We recommend looking for work elsewhere.
Sharing personal information
A seller (or buyer) tries to obtain your personal information — bank card number and code, bank account details, etc. Disclosing such information jeopardizes your financial and personal security. We recommend keeping your personal information to yourself and not participating in payment schemes you do not fully understand.