Selling a high dollar item in person, how do I protect myself from fraud?

[Atomic_Koolaid]

I'm planning on selling a high dollar musical instrument in person tomorrow. Buyer wants to pay me with PayPal. How can I protect myself to make sure that I know that he is actually transferred the funds? I have a very low index of suspicion that he is trying to scam me. All of our communication, both via email and text, has lacked some of the usual linguistic errors that scammers have. And he appears to be legitimately knowledgeable about guitars. But still, when I hand someone a guitar worth $3,000, I want to be sure that I've actually received the funds. Is there any way that I can know that I received the money in real time? I've read where scammers can generate fake emails that look like notifications of payment from PayPal, and I'm worried I'm going to get one of those.

[JorSu]

1. Choose a Secure Location: Meet in a safe, public place for the transaction.

2. Verify PayPal Payment: Check the PayPal payment on your mobile device before handing over the item. Don't solely rely on email notifications.

3. Beware of Fake Emails: Be cautious of fake PayPal emails and trust notifications from the official PayPal app or website.

4. Consider Cash or Secure Payment: If feasible, use cash or other secure payment methods to minimize risks.

5. Daylight Meeting: Schedule the meeting during daylight hours for added safety.

Following these steps can help ensure a secure transaction. And if you use paypal be sure that before leaving you have received the payment and the money is in your account 

[Atomic_Koolaid]

So if I get a notification on the app, then I can be certain that that is an actual payment?

[PayPal_Meghan]

Hello @Atomic_Koolaid and @JorSu, 

I would like to welcome both of you to the PayPal Community, and also, thank you for those great tips, @JorSu!

@Atomic_Koolaid, as @JorSu mentioned, you would want to ensure you've received the payment by looking in your PayPal App or account on a mobile web browser. You'll also want to make sure that the payment shows as a completed status and is not pending. If it shows pending, the payment was likely sent as an eCheck. Do not provide the item until the eCheck clears, which can take an average of five business days. You can learn more about eChecks on our Help Center here: Why is my incoming eCheck pending? 

I have just a couple more tips to add. When delivering an item in person, it's a good idea to create a pick-up receipt that the buyer has to sign. (One copy for each of you would be ideal, that way, you both have a receipt.) This receipt should include details of the item, purchase price, and contact details for both parties. I know of some merchants who also request to check the buyer's photo ID to ensure they are handing the item to the correct person. Before you complete the sale, I also suggest reviewing information regarding PayPal's Seller Protection on our Help Center and User Agreement regarding in-person sales. 

I hope this information helps with your sale! 

- Meghan