Staying safe when you buy and sell.

Holdipay is built to stop the most common marketplace scams. Here's how it protects you, and what to look out for.

The Holdipay owl holding up a phone with a warning sign and raising a wing to say stop

The one rule to remember

Holdipay will never ask a seller to pay anything, enter card details, or share a text message code with anyone in order to receive money. If that happens, it's a scam.

How you could lose out, and how Holdipay stops it

Buying

Without Holdipay: You send a deposit or pay upfront, then the seller stops replying or the item isn't what was promised.
With Holdipay: Your money is held by Stripe, not sent to the seller. You check the item first and only release the payment when you're happy. Something wrong? Don't release it, and report a problem.

Selling

Without Holdipay: You hand over the item, then the bank transfer never arrives, or the "payment sent" screenshot was fake.
With Holdipay: You see the money is secured before you meet up or post anything. When you meet, you scan the buyer's code on your own phone, so nobody can show you a fake confirmation. Hand the item over once your screen says you've been paid.

Holdipay lowers the risk, but always check the item properly and meet somewhere safe.

Signs of a fake payment

You're asked to pay a fee, a deposit or for "insurance" before you can receive money.
A link asks a seller for card details, or for a card's security code, to receive a payment.
Someone asks you to send them a code that was texted to you.
The link's web address isn't holdipay.com, or has extra words or numbers around it.
The buyer pressures you to hand over the item before the money has been released.
You're asked to move the conversation off the marketplace and onto email or another app.

How Holdipay protects you

Money is held, not sent: The buyer's payment is held by Stripe until the buyer releases it. The seller can see it's there but can't take it early.
Release codes expire: QR codes last 5 minutes and typed codes 15 minutes. After 5 wrong attempts a code is locked and the buyer is told.
Only the verified seller is paid: The first person to confirm their mobile number on a link becomes the only person who can be paid from it.
Problems are investigated: If the buyer reports a problem before release, the payment stays on hold while our team reviews both sides.

Meeting up safely

Meet somewhere public and busy, in daylight if you can.
Bring someone with you, or tell someone where you're going.
Check the item fully before you release the money.
Never hand over an item before the screen says the money has been released.

Hiring someone safely

Be wary of anyone who wants a large cash deposit before starting. With Holdipay the whole job is secured, so there's no reason to pay them directly.
Agree clear stages, and only release each one when you've seen the work.
Check reviews, and for gas or electrical work, check they're registered.

Think you've seen a scam?

Don't enter any details. Email us at hello@holdipay.com with a screenshot and we'll look into it. You can also report fraud to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.