Anti-fraud guide

A fake buyer may send you a link claiming that you need to "confirm" or "unlock" the payment.

Before entering any information:

• do not access the service through the link you received;
• independently open the official app or website;
• verify that the transaction really exists;
• never provide OTPs, passwords or security codes.

Receiving money should not require giving your account credentials to the buyer.

To buy or sell an instrument you should never give the other person:

• passwords;
• one-time passwords (OTPs);
• PINs;
• CVV/CVC codes;
• recovery codes;
• online banking credentials;
• copies of identity documents unless an official, verified process genuinely requires them.

If a legitimate service requires sensitive information, enter it directly in the official app or website, never in a chat with the other party.

Before sealing the parcel:

• photograph the instrument from several angles;
• record the serial number;
• photograph included accessories and components;
• document any defects already disclosed;
• photograph the internal protection and sealed package.

After shipping, keep the receipt, tracking information, any insurance documentation and, when available, the declared parcel weight.

This evidence does not automatically determine the outcome of a dispute, but it can make the shipping record much clearer.

A screenshot is not money.

One of the simplest scams is to send a fake receipt, an edited screenshot or an email designed to look as if it came from a bank or payment provider.

Before handing over or shipping the item:

1. open the official app or website of your payment service directly;
2. check the real status of the transaction;
3. review any conditions or holds;
4. do not use a link inside the email you received to perform the verification.

Confirmation must come from your own account or the official service, not from the other party.

Whenever possible, seeing and testing the instrument in person allows you to verify the actual item, condition and basic functionality.

For an in-person meeting:

• choose an appropriate and reasonably safe location;
• test the instrument without rushing;
• verify the serial number and accessories;
• agree on the price and payment method in advance;
• be cautious about sudden changes to the deal.

Meeting in person reduces the risk that the instrument does not exist, but it does not eliminate counterfeits, hidden defects or payment problems.

In some cases a buyer may dispute an item and attempt to return a different unit, a modified component, or the same instrument in worse condition.

To reduce the risk:

• keep detailed photos of the instrument before shipping;
• photograph the serial number and identifying details;
• document all included accessories;
• keep the tracking information;
• document the packaging;
• when receiving a disputed return, document the opening of the parcel.

Documentation does not replace an official dispute procedure, but it can be crucial when establishing what was actually shipped and what was returned.