Naartjie connects you with real neighbours — but you still deal with strangers. A few simple habits keep almost every meetup smooth and safe.
In an emergency, call 10111 If you ever feel unsafe or believe a crime has happened, contact the South African Police Service (SAPS) on 10111 first. Your safety matters more than any deal.
Before you meet
Keep all chat inside Naartjie until you've agreed the details.
Check the seller's Ripeness Level and ratings.
Ask for extra photos if anything is unclear.
Agree the exact price and item up front — no surprises.
Tell a friend where you're going and when.
Choose a safe spot
Meet in a busy, public place — a mall, not a home.
Use one of our suggested safe spots if there's one nearby.
Daylight is best; bring someone with you.
For big items, take a friend and inspect before paying.
Trust your instincts — walk away if it feels wrong.
Spot a scam
Pressure to pay before you've seen the item.
Requests to move to WhatsApp or email "to save fees".
Deals that are far too good to be true.
Asking for a deposit, OTP, or your banking login.
Couriers or "agents" for a simple local sale.
Protect your information
Naartjie never shows your phone number or email.
Never share a one-time PIN — not even with "support".
Don't share ID numbers or banking details in chat.
Remember: Naartjie does not handle payments for you.
Report anyone who asks for these things.
If something goes wrong
You're not on your own. Here's what to do.
Report it
Use the report control on any listing, profile or chat. Reports are confidential.
Block & stop
Block a user to end contact immediately. We review reports and can suspend or ban accounts that break the rules.
Call the SAPS
For theft, fraud or any threat to your safety, contact the SAPS on 10111. We cooperate with lawful requests.