www.zoofaroo.com

Barter Smarter! Always use a common sense approach to your bartering activities.

We’ve met many great people with many great services to offer, and we created ZooFaroo to give you all a means to get together.
Meeting great people and finding valuable exchanges through ZooFaroo can be fun and rewarding, but still we recommend taking common sense precautions to protect yourself.

Important suggestions to consider:

When first meeting someone in person, do so in a public place or bring along a friend.

Use caution when allowing a stranger into your home.

Use caution when money or high value items are involved.

Do not wire funds and avoid mailing payment for items sight-unseen or services yet to be provided

Be wary of fake cashier’s checks and money orders, ask to see ID and record the driver’s license number

Never give out personal financial information (bank account numbers, social security number, credit card numbers, etc.)

Prepare a written contract (LINK:suggestions for writing a contract)

Be cautious of someone who refuses to sign a contract agreement or show identification

If you feel you have been defrauded, contact you local police department.

Internet fraud or scam attempts can be reported to:

Internet Fraud Complaint Center

FTC Video: How to report scams to the FTC

FTC online complaint form

FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)

For more information about personal safety online, check out these resources:

http://getsafeonline.org

http://wiredsafety.org

Suggestions on writing a contract:

When negotiating a transaction for services, create a written contract and provide a copy for both parties.

The contract should include:

Description of the services to be provided, the more detail the better

The time-frame during which work is to be completed

Materials involved

Any specific quality standards to be met

Agreed-upon method and amount of compensation

Names and signatures of parties involved and contact information. It is wise to check personal identification