SAFETY AT UMOJAAA

GUIDELINES ON HOW TO STAY SAFE AT UMOJAAA

Connecting with family and friends, Shopping and browsing many excitements online can be fun and exciting, but it also comes with some risks. UMOJAAA has put in place strict measures and few guidelines which you can follow to avoid some of the risks.”

Scam to Avoid

We understand that online transactions can be simple and convenient, but please remember that face to face transactions are the best way to minimise the risk of fraudulent activity.

While the vast majority of experiences on UMOJAAA are successful and hassle-free, we always recommend our users to follow these simple steps to ensure they get the best out of their use of UMOJAAA:

Never send money to anyone you don’t know
If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably isn’t true
Always use common sense

Here are some common scams to look out for:

Brand name spoofing / phishing

You get an email/SMS that claims to be from UMOJAAA, eBay, Western Union, or another company and offers buyer protection or an online payment system or perhaps a cash prize. These emails will typically request that you send money or provide personal information. Any emails which combine a sense of urgency with some need for personal details should be treated with caution, no matter whom they purport to be from. UMOJAAA and most other companies will never send out such emails.
Phishing attempts can also come in the form of emails/SMS messages telling you that your UMOJAAA account has been disabled, suspended, locked, or something similar and you are asked to click on a link. please be aware that this is not coming from UMOJAAA. While the link to the phishing website may look like it’s coming from a legitimate company, these are in fact fake sites designed by scammers to acquire sensitive information such as passwords and credit card details.
Certain kinds of Spoof emails/SMS can also spread spyware or viruses. These emails have the potential to infect your computer and then to spread the spyware/virus further by access and sending the email to your contacts. If you receive an email in response to your Ad that includes a link and a suspicious looking comment attached, please do not click on the link.

What do these emails / SMS look like?

‘Dear customer,
In order to avoid fraud attempts and confirm your identity, please forward us the following details:
JUST CLICK HERE: http://www.link to fake site
Please complete the form immediately. If not, your account will be erased based on fraud motivation. Thank you!
UMOJAAA Secure Department’

‘Dear UMOJAAA User,
Thanks for your Ad however we’re afraid that your Ad has been removed because it was flagged as fraud. We need you to confirm your identity. Please follow this link:
“fake link to” Confirm Account Identity
For more information, please review our posting policies. Any future Ads will also be removed until your account will be verified.
UMOJAAA Security’

Please note that UMOJAAA does not offer a phone or voicemail service when replying to Ads. If you include a phone number in your Ad, buyers can respond to you directly and any voice message you receive from them will be a normal voice message.

What do I do if I receive a suspicious message like this?

You should forward suspicious emails which you don’t think are from UMOJAAA to claims@umojaaa.com so we can investigate and de-activate any fake site links. This is an automated system that only processes information found in these types of email messages, so if you have any questions or concerns please instead write to us here.

SMS Scam

An SMS message from a potential buyer asking you to respond by email is most likely a scam. Legitimate buyers and sellers are unlikely to want to be emailed if they are already texting you.
These scammers will try to get you to ship your item after sending you a fake payment. They may also ask you to send them money because they made a fake overpayment. Please ignore SMS messages asking you to email back.

What do these SMS messages look like?

‘Hello friend, I saw your listing on Gumtree and can you let me know if still on sale… blahblah@live.com.au’
OR
‘Hello, I saw your ad on UmojaAA. I’m ready to offer you 20,000USD for the vehicle. For quick response, email me at: blahblah2@gmail.com Smith’

What do I do if I receive an SMS message that asks me to email someone?

We recommend ignoring SMS messages asking you to email back. If you have received a fake PayPal invoice, please forward it to claims@umojaaa.com. This is an automated system that only processes information found in these types of email messages, so if you have any questions or concerns please instead write to us here.

We always advise users to transact in person with cash or through the PayPal app in person when buying or selling an item on UMOJAAA. Please keep this in mind to avoid the types of scams listed in below:

Scheduled Payment receipts for bank transfers

A scheduled payment receipt is not a confirmation of money transfer, but a notification of a payment scheduled to be made in the future. This can easily be cancelled by the buyer after goods are exchanged.
Please keep in mind that although it’s more difficult, it is also possible to recall an online transfer that has been sent. For this reason, we encourage face to face transactions with cash or PayPal through the UMOJAAA app.

Oops, I paid you too much! Cheque overpayment

A buyer or seller or prospective tenant will send you a cheque worth more than the value of the items/ rent and then ask for the surplus money to be returned to them or a third party, for example ‘to pay for shipping’. The cheque will clear into your bank, only to be stopped/refused weeks later. At this point, the Banks/Building Societies will take the full cheque amount back out of your account. Not only will you have lost the goods, you will be out of pocket for the amount of the cheque and the amount you passed on as the difference.

Payment for brokerage/importing

A seller claims that there are brokerage fees, import duties, or other such fees required to get an item into the country. Do not pay such fees, as you will most often never get the product and will have lost any money you paid. UMOJAAA is designed for local, face to face trading.

Fake escrow sites

A buyer or seller or prospective tenant/ landlord suggests using an escrow service to complete the transaction. Often these escrow web sites are run by fraudsters (even though they may look ‘official’) and they will take your money and never send you the product.

Job Scams Fruit picking and farming or labour jobs

it might be a job scam involving fruit picking and other related farming jobs. These Ads are targeting backpackers and are offering employment and accommodation for an up-front fee. If you’ve seen or responded to such Ads please report it to us immediately and cease communication with the advertiser.

For safety tips when looking for Jobs on UMOJAAA please we encourage you to visit the articles below:
Staying safe on UMOJAAA- Jobs
Recent Scam Trends in Jobs

Requests to post Ads on behalf of strangers after posting a Wanted Ad

Fraudsters sometimes contact members via their Ads with a “too good to be true” job offer. These job offers usually involve posting Ads on the employers’ behalf, however, there is a risk that the ‘employer’ is a scammer who is looking for someone to post illegitimate Ads on their behalf.
Of particular note, currently there’s a specific scam targeting people who have posted wanted rental Ads. Via these Ads, members are contacted by fraudsters posing as “landlords” offering to hold an apartment for them, on the condition that the member posts available rental Ads on the ‘landlord’s’ behalf.

Targeting Members – The scammers’ objective is to use other user accounts as a disguise so that the fraudster is not directly linked to the illegitimate Ads posted.
Consequences – If your account is found to be involved with fraudulent activity, it is UMOJAAA’s right to permanently block your account. Involvement in illegal activity may also result in possible police investigations.
Avoiding the scammers – Ignore strangers requesting that you post Ads on their behalf as they are most likely to be fraudulent. If you find an Ad or have received an offer matching the previously mentioned characteristics, please do not hesitate to flag it through UMOJAAA’s Ad flagging system or report it by contacting our Help Desk.

” Connecting with family and friends, Shopping and browsing many excitements online can be fun and exciting, but it also comes with some risks. UMOJAAA has put in place strict measures and few guidelines which you can follow to avoid some of the risks. If you’re using UMOJAAA to look for a job, we encourage our community to follow these safety tips:

Double check the validity of the employer who has posted the ad
Meet your prospective employer face to face, ideally at the business within working hours, or in a public place
Do your research. Find out what your entitlements and responsibilities are, including what you should be paid.
Be wary of anyone who asks inappropriate questions or gives vague answers
You shouldn’t have to provide your bank or identification details when applying for a job (this should only be once you’ve accepted an offer of employment)
Avoid ‘work from home’ jobs which aren’t from well-known organisations
Avoid listings which guarantee wealth, financial success or which will help you get rich quick
Click here for more information on jobs guidelines.

UMOJAAA is a ad classifieds website and ads aren’t reviewed before they go live on the site. UMOJAAA doesn’t offer any sort of buyer protection / payment programs. Any emails you receive that talk about such systems are scams, even if they may have the UMOJAAA logo. If you receive any emails promoting these services, please report it to us. If ever in doubt, simply contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

When job searching, be on the lookout for the following:

Providing a link to a fake company website, which will collect your personal information, in the “Map Address” field of the ad
Requests to create an account at a Bitcoin exchange, which will be used to collect your personal information
Vague job titles or descriptions, with very little information provided on the scope of work
Unreasonably high pay offered

If you see an ad like this on the site, please report it to us and do not respond to it as it’s not likely to be genuine. Please report anything suspicious to us here. You can find more safety tips for jobs here.

Always meet face to face – take someone with you and meet in a public place. If a seller is coming to your home or workplace, arrange to have someone with you and ask the buyer to produce ID.
Never send or wire money (especially Western Union, Moneygram or services like Bidpay) to someone you don’t know or trust
Always inspect the item before agreeing to a sale
Use common sense. If something sounds too good to be true – it probably is
We encourage you to be extra cautious when buying high-end or popular items
Upon inspection, you should also be aware of the plugs that are fit in your country’s power outlets design.

Tips for buying a car on UMOJAAA

Do your research: Dedicate time to researching what’s out there and the average price of similar items
Ask questions: When first contacting the seller, don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions about the condition of the car, how long they’ve had it and why they’re selling it. It’s easy to contact a seller via the UMOJAAA My Messages feature.
Negotiate: Don’t be afraid to negotiate a price you think is fair but don’t offer an unrealistic amount
Meet in person: A transaction should always be made face-to-face, with an in-person payment made once you’ve seen the car and made the necessary checks. It can pay to meet the seller at a mechanics, so they can check over the vehicle. Never send or wire money to somebody you don’t know. For personal ease and safety, arrange to meet in a public place and take a friend or family member with you.
Common sense: Use common sense when buying online. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is!

Tips for selling your car on UMOJAAA

Do your research: Dedicate time to researching what’s out there and the average price of similar cars to make sure you’re setting a fair price
Be descriptive: Describe the car you’re selling, including its features (parking sensors, Bluetooth connectivity etc), a brief history and reasons for selling. The more information you provide, the more likely you are to make a sale at the price you’re looking for. You can be as creative as you like!
Upload high quality photos: Upload high quality images to make sure your listing stands out from the rest. You can add up to 10 images for free. You can also pay to upgrade your ad to ensure a number of different ad types, each designed to make your ad work better; get more views, more replies and be more successful!
Manage your listing: Ensure you keep on top of messages from potential buyers. Communicate quickly and directly through My Messages and download the UMOJAAA app on your phone so you can manage your ad on the go
Always meet face to face and test drive: When selling, it’s important for the buyer to see the car in person and to exchange money. You can also exchange money through electronic means if available. Have the necessary documents ready and for personal safety, have a friend or family member accompany you and the buyer on a test drive

How to pick a quality business service?

Conduct your own independent research
Search the business name on the internet or ask around and see the feedback against the business or call A trade department authority in your country to see if there are any complaints against the business.
Check the license and permit or accreditation by the authority to see if it a legitimate business.
Contact several businesses and receive quotes from each. Remember businesses are competing for your business and you should pick the one that you feel comfortable with.

Always meet face to face – take someone with you and meet in a public place. If a buyer/seller is coming to your home or workplace, arrange to have someone with you and ask the buyer/seller to produce ID
Never send or wire money (especially Western Union, Moneygram or services like Bidpay) to someone you don’t know or trust
Always let the buyer inspect the item before agreeing to a sale
Use common sense. If something sounds too good to be true – it probably is.

Always meet face to face – take someone with you and meet in a public place. If a seller is coming to your home or workplace, arrange to have someone with you and ask the buyer to produce ID.
Never send or wire money (especially Western Union, Moneygram or services like Bidpay) to someone you don’t know or trust
Always inspect the item before agreeing to a sale
Use common sense. If something sounds too good to be true – it probably is
It is our belief that these forms of funds transfers are favoured by fraudsters, so don’t risk it

Don’t scan a copy of your bank cheque and send to a seller

This is a Seller side scam so please read!

We’ve heard of few cases where a seller has asked a buyer to “scan a copy of the bank cheque” that they will pay for the item with.

The way the scam works is:

Fraudster – advertises an item and asks the buyer to pay for the item with a bank cheque and proceeds to ask for a scanned copy of the cheque. The fraudster creates a counterfeit cheque and uses the money.

How to buy a pet safely?

Never send or wire money to sellers. This includes never mailing a cheque or using payment services like Bidpay, Western Union or Money Gram. It is our belief that these forms of funds transfer are favoured by fraudsters
When buying or adopting a pet you should meet in person and view the living conditions of the pet. The purpose of the UMOJAAA Pets section is to help the community find good, safe, caring homes for pets. For personal ease and safety, always ensure you take someone with you
UMOJAAA doesn’t offer any sort of buyer protection / payment programs. Any emails you receive that talk about such systems are scams, even if they may have the UMOJAAA logo. If you receive any emails promoting these services, please report it to us

Remember to practice good biosecurity when purchasing animals. Inspect animals for signs of disease before buying or transporting them.

Do a due diligence to check for potentially lost or stolen mobiles phones
You can also check the iCloud Activation Lock status of an iPhone or you can find further advice from Apple here on buying or selling an iPhone
Always meet face to face – take someone with you and meet in a public place. If a seller is coming to your home or workplace, arrange to have someone with you and ask the buyer to produce ID
Never send or wire money (especially Western Union, Moneygram or services like Bidpay) to someone you don’t know or trust
Always inspect the item before agreeing to a sale
Use common sense. If something sounds too good to be true – it probably is.

Always meet face to face – take someone with you to view the property
Whether you’re the person that advertised or replying to an ad always ask for ID
Never send or wire money (especially Western Union, Moneygram or services like Bidpay) to someone you don’t know or trust
Always inspect the item before agreeing to a sale
Use common sense. If something sounds too good to be true – it probably is

Please note: People willing to rent a property without seeing it/ or the prospective tenant first, even if they claim that it is because they are currently overseas, are unlikely to be legitimate.

If you’re using UMOJAAA for ridesharing, we encourage our community to follow these safety tips:

Know the identity of the people you’re riding with and meet them face to face and in public before agreeing to rideshare with them
Ask lots of questions and get to know your potential driver or passenger
Be wary of anyone who asks inappropriate questions or gives vague answers
Plan ahead and know the route to your destination
Always get picked up and dropped off in a high traffic area
Tell a friend or family member details of the people you’re travelling with and give them your itinerary
Check in with your friend or family member regularly and don’t deviate from your plan
Make sure your phone is fully charged before the drive and ensure you have one or two contact numbers memorised
Always keep a debit or credit card, your ID and some cash on you
Make sure the provider has the appropriate authorisations papers they’re seeking payment for the service

Always meet face to face – take someone with you and meet in a public place. If a buyer/seller is coming to your home or workplace, arrange to have someone with you and ask the buyer/seller to produce ID
Never send or wire money (especially Western Union, Moneygram or services like Bidpay) to someone you don’t know or trust
Always let the buyer inspect the item before agreeing to a sale
Use common sense. If something sounds too good to be true – it probably is.

UMOJAAA is a ad classifieds website and ads aren’t reviewed before they go live on the site. UMOJAAA doesn’t offer any sort of buyer protection / payment programs. Any emails you receive that talk about such systems are scams, even if they may have the UMOJAAA logo. If you receive any emails promoting these services, please Report it to us. If ever in doubt simply contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

How do I stay safe when buying concert and event tickets?

When buying tickets for events please be aware that some tickets may have terms printed on them that limit the ability of the original buyer to sell them to someone else. Please check out resell policies, terms and conditions with the official event organiser before buying a ticket on UMOJAAA
Please ensure the legitimacy of tickets before handing over money and again refer to resell policies, terms and conditions with the official event organiser
Double check that the ticket isn’t cancelled by the event organiser before handing over money
Be cautious with sellers offering printed tickets as fraudsters can print several copies and sell to more than one buyer and only the buyer who arrives at the event first will be authorised to enter. Again refer to resell policies, terms and conditions with the official event organiser as some events will also require you to produce a photo id to confirm you are the original buyer.
Always meet face to face – take someone with you and meet in a public place. If a buyer is coming to your home or workplace, arrange to have someone with you and ask the buyer to produce ID
Never send or wire money (especially Western Union, Moneygram or services like Bidpay) to someone you don’t know or trust
Always let the buyer inspect the item before agreeing to a sale
Use common sense. If something sounds too good to be true – it probably is
Click here for more information on ticket guidelines.