Last updated: June 2026

Safety Guidelines

Your safety matters to us. NearByBooks helps you connect with nearby book lovers, but meetings and payments happen between users. Follow these guidelines to stay safe when buying, selling, or exchanging books.

Important: If you feel unsafe at any time, leave the meeting and contact local authorities if necessary.

1. Meet in Public Places

Choose well-lit, busy locations such as cafés, libraries, bookstores, or community centers.
Avoid meeting at home, isolated areas, or late-night locations whenever possible.
Tell a friend or family member where you are going and when you expect to return.

2. Verify the Book Before Paying

Inspect the book’s condition, edition, and completeness before completing payment.
Compare the item with listing photos and descriptions.
Do not pay in advance for items you have not seen unless you fully trust the other party.

3. Protect Your Personal Information

Use in-app chat when possible instead of sharing personal phone numbers too early.
Never share passwords, OTPs, banking PINs, or identity documents.
Be cautious of requests to communicate on unknown third-party apps or payment links.

4. Safe Payment Practices

Prefer cash or trusted digital payment methods you understand.
Avoid sending money to unknown accounts or paying unusual “booking” or “delivery” fees.
Keep a record of payment and conversation details in case of a dispute.

5. Watch for Scams

Be suspicious of prices that seem too good to be true.
Do not accept overpayment schemes or requests to refund extra money.
Report listings that appear fake, duplicated, or misleading.

6. Respectful Communication

Be polite and clear when arranging meetups and prices.
Do not share offensive, threatening, or harassing messages.
Cancel respectfully if plans change and notify the other person promptly.

7. Children & Vulnerable Users

Users under 18 should use NearByBooks only with a parent or guardian’s supervision. Guardians should accompany minors during in-person exchanges.

8. Report Unsafe Behavior

If a user behaves suspiciously, sends threatening messages, or creates unsafe listings, report them through our support channels. We may investigate and take action, including removing accounts or listings.

9. Travel & Location Awareness

Use the location features responsibly and only share what is needed for nearby discovery.
Do not share your exact home address in public listings or chats unless you choose to.
Plan a safe route and avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

10. Your Responsibility

NearByBooks provides tools to connect users, but you are responsible for your own safety during communications and meetups. Following these guidelines helps keep our book community trustworthy and secure for everyone.