Safety Center

Buying or selling a boat involves real financial and safety risks. Usedboats supplies advertising and contact tools; it does not certify buyers, sellers, ownership, condition or payments. Report suspicious activity to info@usedboats.shop with the listing link and a short explanation.

Protect your accounts and personal details

Never send a password, bank login, card security code, Social Security number or one-time verification code to another user or to someone claiming to be Usedboats support. If a site verification code is introduced, enter it only in the corresponding form you opened yourself on usedboats.shop. We do not need another service’s verification code to validate your listing.

Do not publish bank routing or account numbers, identity documents, a home address, signed title documents or private family information in your listing. Check photos for visible paperwork, license details and location clues. Share necessary transaction documents privately with a verified counterparty or qualified professional using an appropriate secure process.

Check the boat and the person

Inspect in person when practical. Verify the seller’s authority, hull identification number, title, registration and possible liens with appropriate sources. Consider an independent marine survey and a properly arranged sea trial. Stock photos, unusually low prices, pressure to act immediately and refusal to permit reasonable checks are warning signs.

For meetings, use a suitable marina or other safe location, tell someone your plans and consider bringing another adult. Do not assume that email, SMS or dealer account verification is a background check. Do not let another person’s urgency replace your own due diligence.

Handle money carefully

Never pay an unknown contact to “unlock” a buyer’s payment, upgrade an account or release money held by Usedboats. We do not hold boat purchase funds. Reject overpayments and requests to return a difference to a courier or another account. A screenshot or email saying “paid” is not proof of cleared funds; verify independently with your bank or provider.

For a high-value sale, arrange a suitable documented payment and closing process with your bank or a vetted professional. Do not assume a payment app or card purchase protection covers a boat or an off-platform transaction. Avoid gift cards, cryptocurrency or urgent wire requests from unverified people. Verify any escrow company independently; do not rely on a link sent by the counterparty.

If something goes wrong

Stop communicating with the suspected scammer and contact your bank or payment provider immediately through its official app or a known number. Preserve messages, listing URLs, payment references and relevant screenshots. Report the listing to Usedboats and consider a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If credentials were exposed, change them through the genuine service and secure affected accounts. For immediate danger, contact emergency services.