Verify payment in your own account
Whichever method is agreed, do not rely on a buyer’s screenshot, email or message saying payment has been made. Open your bank or PayPal account through the official app or a bookmarked website and check the transaction there.
Never share a one-time password, card PIN, full online banking login or remote access code to receive money. A normal bank transfer does not require the recipient to approve it with the sender’s security code.
Bank transfer can be direct, but it still needs checking
A bank transfer can be straightforward for an agreed local sale. Give the payer the account name, sort code and account number needed for the transfer. Check those details carefully before sending them, particularly if you have more than one account.
Confirmation of Payee is an account name-checking service for UK domestic payments. It helps the payer compare the name entered with the name held on the receiving account. A match can reduce the chance of a misdirected payment, but it does not confirm that the item, buyer or wider arrangement is genuine.
If the payer sees a close match or no match, do not tell them to ignore it. Check the account name with your bank and correct any mistake. Keep the payment reference connected to the item so the transaction is easier to identify.
Check that the money has actually arrived
Open your own bank account and look for the incoming transaction. Do not release the item because the buyer shows a pending screen on their phone. Some bank transfers are quick, but timing can vary, and a screenshot can be altered or taken from a different account.
Be cautious if somebody sends too much and asks you to forward the difference. Pause, contact your bank through an official channel and do not send money back to a new account under pressure.
PayPal protection depends on eligibility and evidence
PayPal Seller Protection is not a blanket guarantee for every sale. Eligibility depends on the transaction, the complaint type and whether the seller meets the programme requirements. The Transaction Details page indicates whether a payment may be eligible.
For physical goods, proof of shipment or delivery can be required. Certain claims and items are excluded. Read the current UK Seller Protection terms for the exact transaction rather than relying on a memory of how the service worked several years ago.
Do not misuse friends and family payments
A buyer may suggest a personal payment to avoid fees. That can change the protections and records attached to the transaction. Do not mislabel a commercial purchase. Use the payment type that accurately reflects the sale and read the service terms before accepting it.
Keep the item description, buyer messages, transaction details and delivery or collection evidence together. If a dispute occurs, scattered screenshots without dates or context are much harder to use.
Collection sales need a written handover note
Write down the item, agreed amount, payment method, collection time and who is attending. For a high-value item, record the model and serial number privately. Do not place unnecessary identity information in a public message thread.
When the buyer arrives, confirm that the person and item match the agreement. If the payment route changes at the last minute, pause. A sudden request to use another account or send a refund elsewhere deserves a careful check.
Delivery sales need stronger records
Photograph the item before packing, the internal protection, the sealed parcel and the label. Keep the tracking number and proof of acceptance. Check the payment service’s evidence requirements before choosing a carrier or handover method.
The electronics packaging guide covers practical parcel records. A well-documented package cannot guarantee protection, but it gives an accurate account of what was sent and how.
Watch for links and fake account pages
A buyer may send a link that appears to open a bank or PayPal confirmation page. Do not use it. Open the official app or type the service address yourself. A genuine incoming payment should be visible in your own account without following a stranger’s link.
Be suspicious of messages asking for an upgrade fee, insurance payment or refundable deposit before you can receive money. Contact the payment provider directly using its official support route.
For a Zarax transaction
Follow the payment and handover instructions provided for the specific quotation. Raise any discrepancy before releasing the item. The guide on how Zarax works explains the surrounding process, while the quote follow-up guide covers what happens after a request.
Keep the advice proportional
A low-value local item and an expensive delivered computer do not need identical records, but the basic checks stay the same. Verify the money in your own account, keep the agreed details, use the correct payment type and stop when something changes unexpectedly.