Meeting Safely — CardMeetup

Meeting Safely

CardMeetup facilitates local card transactions. Your safety is the top priority — follow these guidelines for every meetup.

📍 Where to Meet

Bank lobby — #1 choice for transactions over $200. Banks have cameras, staff, and a safe environment for counting cash.
Police station parking lot — Many stations have designated "safe exchange zones." Extremely secure.
Coffee shop — Well-lit, public, staff present. Good for smaller transactions.
Card shop — A local card shop can also verify the card on the spot.

Never meet at a private residence, empty parking lot, or anywhere you'd feel uncomfortable.

✅ What to Bring

Exact cash — Avoid needing change. Bring the agreed amount in full.
A friend — There's safety in numbers. Bring someone you trust, especially for higher-value trades.
Check the seller's reputation score first — Look at their reviews and deal history before agreeing to meet.
A loupe or magnifier if you want to inspect the card closely.

🚩 Red Flags to Watch For

Won't meet in public — Any resistance to meeting somewhere safe is a major red flag.
Wants to ship instead — If you connected through CardMeetup for a local deal, insist on an in-person meetup.
Newly created account — No reviews, no history. Proceed with extra caution or meet somewhere extra public.
Pressure to close the deal quickly or pay before meeting.
Photos that look too professional or can be found online (reverse image search).

💬 During the Meetup

Inspect the card carefully before exchanging money or your trade item.
Check the cert number matches using your phone right there.
Complete the transaction in the agreed public spot — don't move to "somewhere more private."
After the deal, leave a review on CardMeetup to help the community.

If something feels wrong, trust your gut and walk away — no card deal is worth your safety. Have a concern or need to report a suspicious user? Contact us and we'll look into it right away.