Most local sales go smoothly. These habits help keep it that way. Telecast doesn’t verify members or items, so please take care.
Meeting in person
Meet in a public, well-lit place in daylight. Many police services offer “safe exchange zones” for this.
Bring someone with you, or tell someone where you’re going.
Inspect the item and check that it works before you pay.
Never pay in advance for an item you haven’t seen.
Don’t share banking details or any verification code sent to your phone or email.
Be wary of prices that seem too good, gift cards, crypto, wire transfers, couriers and overpayments.
For high-value items, prefer cash in person or a payment method you trust.
Trust your instincts and leave if something feels wrong.
Report suspicious members using the Report button.
Common scams
Verification codes. “I need to make sure you’re real, send me the code I just texted you.” That code lets them take over your account. Never share it.
Overpayment. A buyer sends more than the price and asks you to refund the difference. The original payment later bounces.
Couriers and shipping agents. A buyer who can’t meet offers to send a courier and pay by cheque or transfer. Keep sales local and in person.
Deposits. A seller asks for a deposit to “hold” an item before you’ve seen it.
Gift cards, crypto and wire transfers. These are hard to trace or reverse. Legitimate local sellers rarely insist on them.
Moving off Telecast straight away. Pressure to switch to another app or email before you’ve talked about the item.
Telecast messages show a warning when a message mentions some of these. Phone numbers, emails and links are hidden in first messages until the other person replies.
If something goes wrong
Use the Report button on the listing or message, and block the member from the conversation. If you’ve lost money or feel unsafe, contact your local police. You can also report fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or the US Federal Trade Commission.
Telecast Marketplace is a free listing service. Telecast is not a party to any sale, does not handle payments, and does not inspect, guarantee or verify items or users. Buyers and sellers are responsible for their own transactions and for following the law.
