Millions of items are listed on Olio every month, happily and without incident. As with any online activity though, it's worth staying alert to the potential for scams. Here's how to protect yourself.
💡 How to avoid being scammed
👀 Trust your instincts. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
📸 If you're lending or borrowing, always take pictures before and after the exchange, agree any deposit in the app, and follow up with a written receipt.
⭐ Check a user's profile to see how recently they joined and whether they have a star rating. You can also check how far away they are and where their listings are. Listings spread across multiple locations are a warning sign.
💬 Never move your communication off the Olio app, for example onto email, SMS, or another messaging service.
🖼️ Watch for hidden details in images. Numbers or emails are sometimes hidden in photos. If you spot this, report it using "Seems like a scam".
🚚 Never agree to pay for delivery of an item. Delivery is against Olio's rules, and you could end up paying for delivery of an item that's never sent, which is a classic scammer trick.
💸 Never send money or pay for something a user requests, such as a takeaway or a food shop. You can give specific items someone requests if you have them and no longer need them.
🙏 Be aware of begging. In these cases, pointing people towards reputable charities and organisations that are better equipped to help keeps you safe while still supporting your community.
🔍 How to spot adverts in Olio
Look for the red label. All ads in Olio now show the red word "Advertisement", so you can spot them instantly and know they're never messages from Olio.
Don't click suspicious ads. Avoid any ad asking for payment, logins, or personal details.
We'll never verify through an ad. Olio will never ask you to verify your account, log in, or make a payment through an advert.
Watch for imitations. Look out for ads imitating Olio (for example an "Activate account" prompt that then asks for details or payment), images with hidden contact details, or attempts to move you off the app.
🚩 Reporting suspicious activity
If a listing or user makes you suspect a scam, tap the flag icon on the listing and select "Seems like a scam", or flag any messages you've received from them.
For suspicious adverts, take a screenshot and email us at [email protected] so we can investigate and act quickly.