Safety centre
CapeGen is a community-first marketplace. Use the tips below to keep transactions safe.
Meeting in person
- Meet in a public place during daylight - a busy mall, petrol station forecourt, or your community pickup point.
- Bring someone with you if the item is high value.
- Inspect the item carefully before paying.
Paying safely
- Prefer cash, instant EFT, or a trusted payment app for in-person trades.
- Never share OTPs, banking PINs, or full card details with another user.
- Be wary of buyers who insist on “overpaying then refunding the difference” - that's a classic scam.
Hiring services
- Prefer verified providers. Verified means we've checked ID, contact details, and (where applicable) trade certifications.
- Get a written quote before work starts. Don't pay 100% upfront - a deposit then the rest on completion is normal.
- Leave a review afterwards so other community members can decide who to trust.
Spotting scams
- Listings priced far below market - our AI will flag these but trust your instincts too.
- Pressure to move the conversation off-platform immediately.
- Requests to pay via gift cards, crypto, or “friends & family”.
- If something feels off, hit Report on the listing - we'll review it quickly.