Safety Tips

Safety Tips for Buying & Selling on UAE Classifieds

UAE classifieds are a great way to find a bargain or sell quickly — but a small number of scammers do try to take advantage of buyers and sellers. Follow these simple rules to stay safe on ADS4ME and any other online marketplace in the UAE.

Top 5 Safety Rules

1. Always meet in a public place — coffee shops, mall parking lots, or busy metro stations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are ideal. Never invite a stranger to your home.
2. Inspect before you pay — check the item works, test phones and cars, read documents carefully. Once you hand over cash, you can't get it back.
3. Pay only in person, in cash or via bank transfer to the seller you've met — never send money to someone you have not met face-to-face.
4. Never share Emirates ID, bank OTP, or card details — no legitimate buyer or seller will ever ask for these.
5. Trust your instincts — if a deal seems too good to be true (a brand new iPhone for AED 500, a luxury car for AED 10,000), it almost certainly is.

Common UAE Classifieds Scams to Watch For

• Shipping scams — seller insists on shipping the item and asks for advance payment. Always insist on meeting in person.
• Fake property listings — beautifully photographed flats at half market price with the "landlord" asking for a deposit before viewing. Never pay before seeing the property and the landlord's Ejari/Tawtheeq.
• WhatsApp redirects — seller asks you to message a foreign WhatsApp number, then asks for prepayment. Stay on ADS4ME's built-in chat where possible.
• Job scams — "employer" asks for a recruitment fee, visa fee, or training fee. Real UAE employers never charge candidates anything.
• OTP theft — buyer/seller claims they need to "verify" you and asks you to share an SMS code. Never share OTPs — this is bank or account takeover.

If You Spot a Suspicious Ad

Use the "Report Ad" button on any listing, or email [email protected] with the ad URL. Our moderation team reviews every report and removes scam listings fast.

Buying a Used Car in the UAE — Extra Tips

• Verify the VIN/chassis number matches the registration card (Mulkiya)
• Run a free car history check using the RTA app or Tasjeel inspection centre
• Test drive before paying — never rely on a "video walk-around"
• Transfer ownership at an RTA centre or Tasjeel — never accept cash and a verbal "I'll change the name later"

Renting Property — Extra Tips

• Always ask to see the title deed and the landlord's Emirates ID
• Insist on a registered Ejari (Dubai) or Tawtheeq (Abu Dhabi) tenancy contract
• Pay rent via cheques in the landlord's name — never cash in hand
• If using an agent, verify they are RERA-registered (Dubai) or TAMM-licensed (Abu Dhabi)

Stay safe, and happy buying and selling on ADS4ME.