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What to do if you receive a scam message
Your safety on Tradeit is our top priority. As Tradeit continues to grow as Zimbabwe’s leading eCommerce platform, scammers may occasionally attempt to contact vendors pretending to be customers, support staff, or even courier services.
This guide will teach you:
- ✅ How to identify scam messages
- 🚨 What to do immediately if you receive one
- 🔒 How to protect yourself and your shop from future scams
- 🛡 How Tradeit helps keep vendors safe
📌 1. What Is a Scam Message?
A scam message is any communication—usually via Tradeit’s messaging system, WhatsApp, email, or SMS—intended to trick you into giving money, products, or sensitive information.
Common Scam Formats:
| Scam Type | Description | Red Flag Example |
|---|---|---|
| Fake Buyer | Pretends to be a customer but never places a real order | “Please send me a test item before I place a big order.” |
| Payment Proof Scam | Sends fake Ecocash screenshots to claim they paid | “I sent $150, please dispatch now.” |
| Courier Scam | Poses as a delivery agent needing money upfront | “I’m the courier, pay $10 to complete delivery.” |
| Fake Tradeit Staff | Pretends to be Tradeit support asking for passwords or PINs | “We need your PIN to verify your account.” |
🚨 2. What To Do Immediately
✅ Step-by-Step Response:
- Do NOT respond to suspicious messages
- Take a screenshot of the message and phone number/email used
- Report the message using one of the methods below:
- Inside your Vendor Dashboard → Help → Report a User
- Or send screenshots via WhatsApp to Tradeit Support
- Block the sender on WhatsApp or SMS
- Do NOT send money, PINs, passwords, or OTPs
🔒 3. How to Protect Yourself from Scammers
✔️ Vendor Safety Tips:
| Tip | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Only trust messages from inside Tradeit | Internal messaging is more secure |
| Never share Ecocash PINs or passwords | Real customers never need this info |
| Don’t fall for “urgent delivery” tricks | Scammers create false urgency |
| Verify payments inside your Orders dashboard | Don’t rely on screenshots alone |
| Be skeptical of unusually large orders from unknown numbers | High-value scams often use this tactic |
👥 4. Real Example (Zimbabwean Context)
Scenario:
You receive a WhatsApp message:
“Hello, I want to order 10 phones today. Please send them quickly. I paid $350, see attached screenshot.”
However:
- No order appears in your Tradeit dashboard
- The name used is different from the billing name
- The screenshot shows a photo, not a real Ecocash notification
What you should do:
- Don’t ship anything
- Screenshot the message
- Report to Tradeit Support
- Block the sender
👮♀️ 5. What Tradeit Does to Prevent Scams
Tradeit has security features built-in:
- ✅ Verified customer payments (only via system-approved gateways)
- ✅ Secure order processing (no delivery until payment is confirmed)
- ✅ Weekly reviews of suspicious accounts
- ✅ Internal messaging logs to track fraud attempts
🧠 Reminder: All real customer orders will appear in your Orders tab. If there’s no order there — don’t act.
📲 6. How to Report a Scam Message
Option 1: From Your Vendor Dashboard
- Go to Help → Report a User or Message
- Fill in:
- Screenshot of message
- Sender’s phone/email
- Your shop name
Option 2: WhatsApp or Email Support
- Send your screenshots to Tradeit Support on WhatsApp
- OR email: [email protected]
Tradeit investigates every report within 24–48 hours. Repeat offenders are banned from the platform.
🧾 7. Bonus: Common Red Flags to Watch Out For
| 🚩 Red Flag | Meaning |
|---|---|
| “Send this quickly, I paid already” | Trying to pressure you to act |
| Requests for PIN, OTP, or passwords | NEVER share these |
| “I’m a courier, pay me for pickup” | No real courier ever asks for this |
| “Tradeit support here…” from WhatsApp | Fake staff – real support comes via the dashboard |
🧠 Summary: Do’s and Don’ts
| ✅ Do | ❌ Don’t |
|---|---|
| Use Tradeit to confirm all payments | Ship without confirmed order |
| Screenshot and report the message | Trust Ecocash screenshots |
| Block suspicious numbers | Share your PIN or login details |
| Ask Tradeit if you’re unsure | Assume all customers are real |
🛡 Stay Safe, Stay Smart
Your business deserves protection. Tradeit is committed to ensuring a secure environment for vendors across Zimbabwe — from Mbare to Mutare, and Gweru to Gwanda.
When in doubt, always reach out to Vendor Support before acting on any message.