Safety Tips — TikWall

Your safety is our top priority. Please read these tips before any transaction on TikWall.

🤝 Meeting in Person

• Always meet in busy, well-lit public places — shopping mall food courts, police station parking lots, coffee shops, bank lobbies
• Never invite a stranger to your home or go to theirs for a first meeting
• Do not share your home address, workplace, or daily routine with strangers
• Bring a friend or family member with you whenever possible
• Tell someone you trust where you are going, who you are meeting, and when you expect to return
• Keep your phone charged and accessible during the meetup
• Trust your instincts — if something feels wrong, leave immediately. No deal is worth your safety

💰 Financial Transactions

• Pay with cash in public — count the money before handing it over
• Never send money before receiving the item — this is the most common scam
• Be extremely cautious of e-transfers to people you have never met in person
• Do not accept personal cheques from strangers
• Be suspicious of buyers who offer to pay more than the asking price
• For high-value items, consider meeting at your bank to complete the transaction
• If paying by e-transfer, only send after the item is physically in your possession

🔍 Verifying Items

• Inspect all items thoroughly before paying
• Test electronics, appliances, and vehicles before completing the purchase
• Check serial numbers of electronics — you can verify if an item is stolen with local police
• For vehicles, request a CARFAX report and have a mechanic inspect it
• For tickets and gift cards, verify their validity before exchanging money
• Research the fair market value of items before buying

📱 Online Safety

• Do not share personal information such as SIN, banking details, or passwords
• Be suspicious of requests to move communication off TikWall to other platforms
• Do not click on suspicious links sent by other users
• Use TikWall's built-in messaging — avoid giving out your personal phone number early
• Report any user who asks for unusual personal information

🚗 Specific Item Safety

Vehicles: Always test drive before buying. Meet at a public location. Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle. Check for liens at a registry office.

Electronics: Test all functions. Check for iCloud/Google account locks on phones and tablets. Verify the IMEI is not reported stolen.

Pets: Verify the seller's credibility. Ask for veterinary records. Be cautious of deals that seem unusually cheap.

Rental scams: Never pay a deposit on a property without seeing it in person and verifying the landlord's identity.

🚨 Reporting Problems

If you encounter suspicious behaviour, a scam, or illegal content:

• Use the Report button on any listing or user profile
• Call police: 911 for emergencies, or your local non-emergency line
• Report online fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: 1-888-495-8501 or antifraudcentre.ca
• Contact us directly: safety@tikwall.com