Trove

Safety tips

Effective date: [EFFECTIVE DATE] · Last updated: November 10, 2026

Draft for legal review. Highlighted items in brackets still need to be filled in, and a lawyer licensed in your state should review this document before Trove launches publicly.

Trove connects people; it does not meet, inspect, ship or pay for items, and it does not run background checks (see the Terms of Service). These tips lower the risk. In an emergency, call 911.

1. Meeting in person

  • Meet in a busy, well-lit public place during the day. Many police stations have a “safe exchange zone” with cameras; use one when you can.
  • Bring a friend, and tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
  • Don’t invite strangers into your home or go to theirs. For large items, move them to a garage or doorway and have someone with you.
  • Keep conversations in Trove’s messages so there’s a record, and don’t share your home address, workplace or schedule until you need to.
  • Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, leave. You can always cancel.

2. Paying and getting paid

  • Inspect and test the item before you pay. Check serial numbers on phones, bikes, tools and electronics (for example on a stolen-property database, or ask your carrier whether a phone is blacklisted).
  • Cash in person is simplest. For larger amounts, consider meeting at a bank.
  • Never pay a “deposit to hold” for an item you haven’t seen, and never pay by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency to a stranger.
  • Payment apps often don’t protect purchases between friends and family; check your app’s rules before using it with a stranger.
  • Be wary of overpayment: if someone pays more than the price and asks you to send back the difference, it’s a scam.

3. Common scams

  • Verification-code scams: someone asks you to read them a code sent to your phone “to prove you’re real”. Never share codes; they are used to take over your accounts.
  • Fake payment emails: emails that look like they’re from a payment app saying money is “pending” until you do something. Check your actual account.
  • Shipping-only buyers: buyers who can’t meet, offer extra for shipping, and send their own “courier”.
  • Too-good-to-be-true listings: prices far below value, sellers who are “away” and want payment first, or who push you to move off Trove.
  • Links: don’t follow links to sign in elsewhere. Trove will never ask for your password in a message.

4. If something goes wrong

  • Report the user or listing with the Report button, and block the user if you don’t want more messages.
  • If you were robbed, threatened or defrauded, or think an item is stolen, contact local police. We cooperate with law enforcement.
  • For scams, you can also report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and to your bank or payment app straight away.