Safe transactions
in the United States
A complete guide to buying and selling safely with strangers in the US — and the escrow tool that does the heavy lifting for you.
The 7 steps of a safe US transaction
Follow this checklist for every peer-to-peer deal worth more than $200.
1. Verify the other party
Ask for a phone number, look up the seller's listing history. Be wary of brand-new accounts or sellers refusing to talk on the phone.
2. Inspect before paying
Whenever possible, see the item in person or on a video call. Photos can be lifted from anywhere.
3. Open a TrustProtect transaction
Both parties accept the deal in our app. The agreement (price, item, delivery) is locked in writing.
4. Buyer pays into escrow
Funds are deposited at TrustProtect via card or ACH. The seller can see the deposit confirmed before shipping.
5. Seller ships with tracking
Tracking number is added to the transaction. The buyer can follow the shipment in real time.
6. Buyer inspects on receipt
The buyer has up to 7 days to inspect the item and confirm. If everything matches the listing, they hit "Approve".
7. Funds released to seller
Money is sent to the seller's US bank account in 1–2 business days. Both sides walk away protected.
6 red flags of a US scam
If you see any of these, walk away or insist on TrustProtect escrow.
"Pay me with Cash App / Zelle / Venmo"
These apps are designed for friends and family. They have NO buyer protection. Once you send, the money's gone.
Buyer wants to overpay then asks for refund
Classic check-overpayment scam. The check eventually bounces and your bank reclaims the full amount, including the "refund" you sent.
Seller pressures you to act fast
"Three other buyers are interested." Real sellers don't pressure. Take your time and use escrow.
Free shipping on a high-value item via DHL
Often a fake invoice. The buyer is told to wire money to a fake "shipping company" first. There's no item.
Refusal to use TrustProtect or any escrow
Honest sellers welcome buyer protection. Refusal to use escrow is the #1 red flag of a scam.
Wire transfer requested for large amounts
Wire transfers are irreversible. Once you wire, the FBI itself can rarely recover the money. Always escrow first.
4 protections you don't get with Cash App
Money locked at Stripe
Stripe holds the funds in a regulated payment account, fully separate from TrustProtect's operating account.
Auto-refund if not shipped
If the seller doesn't ship within the agreed window, the buyer is automatically refunded — no questions asked.
Full transaction history
Every chat message, status change and document is timestamped. If a dispute opens, the evidence is already there.
US bank-grade security
TLS 1.3 in transit, AES-256 at rest, PCI-DSS Level 1 (Stripe). Your data and your money are equally protected.
Frequently asked questions
What's the safest way to send money to someone I don't know?+
Through a third-party escrow service like TrustProtect. The money is held by an independent party (Stripe) until both parties confirm the deal is complete. Never use Zelle, Venmo or Cash App for anything other than friends and family.
I'm selling an item — should I trust a buyer's check?+
No. The most common online scam is the fake or overpaid check. Banks credit the funds upfront, but if the check is bad (sometimes weeks later), they reclaim the entire amount. Escrow eliminates this risk entirely — the buyer prepays, the funds are confirmed, then you ship.
Is it safe to meet in person for big-ticket items like cars?+
Meeting in person is good for inspection, but cash is risky for large amounts (counterfeit bills, robbery). The recommended flow: meet to inspect, both parties open a TrustProtect transaction on their phone, buyer pays into escrow, seller hands over the keys + title, buyer approves. Funds are released within minutes.
What if the seller refuses to use TrustProtect?+
Walk away. Honest sellers want buyer protection because it protects them too — once the buyer approves, the seller is paid and there's no chargeback risk. A seller who refuses any form of escrow is almost always running a scam.
How long does the buyer have to inspect the item?+
By default, 7 days from delivery confirmation. If the buyer doesn't approve or open a dispute within that window, funds are auto-released to the seller. Both parties can agree on a shorter or longer inspection window.
What if the item arrives damaged or fake?+
Open a dispute from your dashboard within the inspection window. Upload photos, the original listing screenshot and any correspondence. Our team mediates and decides whether to refund the buyer, release funds to the seller, or split. Most disputes are resolved in 24–48 hours.
Don't be the next Cash App scam victim.
Open a TrustProtect transaction — free until you actually pay. The seller doesn't see a dollar until you say so.
Available across all 50 states · USD payments · No subscription