Safety & Scam Prevention

LittleBlueCup can provide safety guidance, preserve platform messages, receive reports and take moderation action where appropriate.

LittleBlueCup cannot guarantee that a person or item is genuine, recover money on somebody's behalf or make an unsafe payment safe.

If you move the conversation away from LittleBlueCup, ignore warning signs or send an unprotected payment before receiving the item, you may be placing yourself at serious financial risk and making it harder for LittleBlueCup to investigate what happened.

People who are scammed are not to blame. Scammers are responsible for their actions. This warning is here to make the risk clear before money is sent.

The safest arrangement is usually item first, payment afterwards.

Many genuine people may be happy to give an item freely. Others may reasonably ask for postage costs or a fair amount for an item that has value.

Asking for money does not automatically mean that somebody is dishonest.

The safest arrangement is normally:

1. 1The item, its condition and any agreed amount are discussed clearly through LittleBlueCup messages.
2. 2The sender photographs the item and confirms what will be posted.
3. 3The sender uses an appropriate tracked delivery service and keeps proof of posting.
4. 4The recipient receives the parcel and checks that the agreed item has arrived.
5. 5The recipient sends the agreed payment promptly.

This arrangement protects the recipient from paying for an item that never arrives. Tracking and proof of posting also help protect the sender from a false claim that nothing was delivered. Tracking does not prove the contents or condition of a parcel.

If the sender cannot cover postage first, the postage guidance explains a different risk-reduction option: the recipient buys a courier label directly instead of sending postage money to a stranger. This still means spending before the item arrives and it is not a guarantee, so check whether an unused label can be cancelled before buying it.

A genuine sender may also worry about posting an item and never being paid. Refusing to post first is not, by itself, proof of a scam.

If payment before receipt is being considered:

• do not pay because somebody is applying pressure
• do not use an unprotected payment method
• use a payment method that offers appropriate buyer protection
• keep the agreement and communication in writing
• ask for clear, current photographs of the item
• check that the photographs match the exact version being offered
• use tracked delivery
• keep payment records, messages and tracking information
• understand the protection and exclusions before paying

If there is no arrangement that gives both people reasonable protection, leave the offer alone.

An item being offered for free does not remove every risk.

A dishonest person may still ask for postage, insurance, a reservation payment or another small amount before the item is sent.

Several small payments can become a larger loss, especially where the story keeps changing.

Do not pay for promises, photographs or excuses. Payment should relate to a real, clearly identified item and a safe, agreed arrangement.

You do not have to prove that somebody is unsafe before asking moderators to look.

A concern is enough. It is better to pause early than to keep going because you feel awkward, guilty or afraid of losing the item.

• pause before replying or paying
• do not send more money because somebody is rushing you
• ask for clearer photographs or details
• keep communication through LittleBlueCup where possible
• save relevant messages and information
• report the concern so moderators can review it
• walk away if no safe arrangement can be agreed

You never owe a stranger payment merely because they have offered hope.

• Keep messages on LittleBlueCup where possible.
• Do not share unnecessary personal or financial information.
• Be cautious about moving immediately to another messaging service.
• Agree the exact item, condition, amount, postage and timing in writing.
• Do not open unexpected payment or delivery links.
• Save relevant messages until the exchange is complete.
• Do not share account passwords, security codes or banking login details.

A person offering an item may also be taking a risk. A dishonest recipient could falsely claim that the item did not arrive, deny what was agreed or refuse to pay after receiving it.

People sending an item should:

• describe the item and condition accurately
• photograph the item before packing it
• keep the written agreement
• use suitable packaging
• use tracked delivery appropriate to the item's value
• keep proof of posting and tracking
• keep evidence of any agreed payment
• avoid posting to an address that changes unexpectedly
• report suspicious behaviour to LittleBlueCup

Safety should not require one person to carry all the risk.

1. 1Stop sending money.
2. 2Contact your bank, card provider or payment provider immediately.
3. 3Tell them that you believe the payment may be connected to a scam.
4. 4Save messages, screenshots, payment details, names, account information and tracking references.
5. 5Report the user or conversation to LittleBlueCup.
6. 6Report the incident through the current official fraud-reporting route for your country.

For England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the current police service is Report Fraud. If you live in Scotland or the crime happened there, contact Police Scotland on 101.

Act quickly. A bank or payment provider may have more options when contacted promptly, although recovery is not guaranteed.