Safety Tips

Bartr is a peer-to-peer platform with no escrow. Your safety is your responsibility. Follow these tips to protect yourself.

General safety

Never share your password, recovery key, or private keys with anyone.
Use the in-app encrypted messaging. Be wary of anyone who asks to move the conversation to another platform.
If a deal sounds too good to be true, it's probably a scam. Trust your instincts.
Check the seller or buyer's reputation and trade history before committing to a deal.
Start with smaller trades to build trust before doing large ones.

Meet in a public, well-lit place — a bank lobby, a coffee shop, or near security cameras.
Tell a friend or family member where you're going, who you're meeting, and when you expect to be back.
Bring a friend if possible, especially for high-value trades.
Verify cash carefully. Use a counterfeit detection pen or UV light for large amounts.
Don't flash large amounts of cash. Count privately, not in the open.
Avoid meeting at your home or the other party's home.
Trust your gut — if something feels off, leave. No deal is worth your safety.

Always double-check wallet addresses before sending. Copy-paste and verify the first and last few characters.
For large amounts, send a small test transaction first and wait for confirmation.
Wait for sufficient blockchain confirmations before considering a transaction complete (e.g. 3 for Bitcoin, 12 for Ethereum).
Never send crypto first in an unverified trade. Use the platform's trade flow to document the agreement.
Be cautious of anyone pressuring you to rush a transaction.

Fake urgency: "Deal expires in 10 minutes!" — legitimate sellers don't pressure you like this.
Off-platform communication: If someone insists on moving to Telegram, WhatsApp, or email, be cautious. It removes accountability.
Overpayment scams: Someone "accidentally" pays too much and asks you to refund the difference. The original payment is often fraudulent.
Fake payment proofs: Screenshots of payments can be fabricated. Always verify funds have actually arrived in your account or wallet.
Impersonation: Verify you're talking to the right person. Check nicknames carefully — scammers use similar-looking names.

Use the Report button on any listing or user profile to flag suspicious behavior.
Document everything: keep screenshots of messages, transaction hashes, and any agreements.
If you've been scammed for a significant amount, consider filing a police report.
Learn from the experience and share what happened (without personal details) to help others.