At Horseyard, it is important to us that all of our users have a safe, successful and enjoyable experience. Whether you are hoping to buy or to sell a horse, following these tips and guidelines will help you safely navigate our site. List your horse and find the perfect buyer, or discover the horse that fits your goals and dreams.
Staying Safe while Using Horseyard
- When buying or selling a horse online, an in-person meeting should always be arranged in order to examine the horse and to exchange money. It is advisable to also take someone with you when meeting with a seller at their location, your home or workplace. Another safety precaution you can take when answering an ad is to request the poster to produce identity and proof of qualification before meeting with them.
- Always arrange for a veterinarian to examine a horse before agreeing to a sale. Make sure that the horse in question is the same horse listed in the ad. Inquire after any previous health and soundness issues the horse might have had in the past or is presently dealing with.
- Be very cautious in how you exchange money for a sale. Never send or wire money to someone you do not know; this includes mailing cheques and using certain payment services. Bidpay, Western Union or Money Gram, for example, have been known to be forms of fund transfer that are favoured by fraudsters.
- Horseyard does not offer any kind of buyer protection / payment programs. If you receive an email guiding you to refer to buyer protection/payment systems, please disregard the promotion of such services and report it to us.
- Horseyard does not offer any kind of buyer protection / payment programs. If you receive an email guiding you to refer to buyer protection/payment systems, please disregard the promotion of such services and report it to us.
Scams to Look Out For
Fraudulent Sellers - Be aware that scammers may try to contact you via text messages or phone calls. They may give you a list of reasons as to why they are unable to meet in person, but continue to ask you about receiving payment. Keep in mind that scammers will pose as genuine sellers, post fake ads and/or approach you through email or on a social media platform. Be aware that scammers may also claim to be overseas traveling or have a sudden emergency come up and request that payment occur prior to arranging the delivery. They may also request that you give the payment to a third party because they are traveling or living overseas. Always heed warning signs.
Fake Ads - The number of fake ads being placed on classified sites continues to increase. If you have knowledge of an ad being fake, please report it by clicking the “Flag Ad” button. You can also send the Horse ID to our help desk along with the information you have. Before buying a horse online, always be sure to do your homework. Request references, check identities, inquire after the horse/owner on the appropriate breed association site, have your vet examine the horse and buy locally if it is possible.
Payment Scams
- Western Union Scam. Never use a money transfer service such as Western Union. If a request is made for the money to be sent via western union or wire transfer or for the difference to be sent to them or their shipper through these means, be aware that this may be an attempt to defraud you of your money.
- False Payment Scam. If you are contacted by someone claiming that your payment was not completed and a request is made for your credit card information, this is a scam. Never release any personal information or credit card information to someone who contacts you claiming to be from the website’s secure payment provider.
Above all, use common sense. If an ad seems too good to be true, it probably is!
