<p>LocalBitcoins.com features a transaction service which guarantees that bitcoins have arrived to your LocalBitcoins.com wallet.</p>

<ul>
<li><p>You get a secret code when the bitcoin seller enables transaction service (escrow enabled) on the trade</p></li>
<li><p>When the bitcoin seller releases the transaction the seller gets SMS with the your secret code</p></li>
<li><p>Ask the seller and if he/she knows your secret code from his/her SMS it is safe to hand over the cash as you know bitcoins are then in your LocalBitcoins.com wallet   </p></li>
<li><p>Now you can transfer bitcoins from LocalBitcoins.com wallet to any wallet you wish</p></li>
</ul>

<p><a href="https://localbitcoins.com/faq#howto_transaction" rel="noreferrer">https://localbitcoins.com/faq#howto_transaction</a></p>

<p>Sometimes when somebody has suggested a deal where there the payment is 50% now and 50% later, it is a sign of potential scam.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-09-04T12:47:20.700Z
One more thing: Meet in a public place like a bar.
Murch
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-09-04T14:11:39.157Z
They have interesting services, yes. But I didn't set it up and it costs 1% fee actually, so the question was rather meant without escrow service.
Borph
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-09-04T12:35:47.623Z
2013-09-04T12:35:47.623Z
Mikko Ohtamaa
<p>My answer would be: <strong>"There is no way, to protect self from rapid scammer."</strong></p>

<p>You are, probably, should spent a great time with seller, say 3, may be 4 hours.</p>

<p>E.g. See this thread: <a href="https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=359934.0" rel="nofollow">bitcointalk.org: If confirmation takes 10 minutes, how will I buy coffee at Starbucks?</a></p>

<p>Another way is to use an arbiter, e.g. <a href="https://www.bitrated.com/" rel="nofollow">www.bitrated.com</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Bitcoin arbitration marketplace Protect yourself against online fraud
  with Bitcoin's m-of-n transactions.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Before you go to give your money to seller, an arbiter confirm transaction, wait for seller's confirmation, than send bitcoins to you.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-12-13T20:09:40.190Z
2013-12-13T20:09:40.190Z
user10274
<p>Shamelessly summarized from this <a href="https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=137272.0">extensive guide on local transactions</a>:</p>

<ul>
<li>You want to meet in a sufficiently <strong>public location</strong>, such as a pub or mall, preferably one that has an open wifi.</li>
<li>If you have agreed on <strong>terms</strong> in beforehand, print out what you agreed upon and take it with you.</li>
<li>If you have not agreed on terms yet, be sure to <strong>check the current price</strong> of bitcoin during the meeting.</li>
<li>Wait for the transaction to complete and <strong>check if the right amount</strong> was paid. If the other person is willing to wait around for one additional block together that is a good sign.</li>
<li><strong>Specify your expectations</strong> in advance: When and where to meet, what each person will have on hand to make the deal, how the price for the bitcoins will be calculated.</li>
<li>Consider taking a <strong>second person</strong> along for additional safety.</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-09-04T13:31:57.867Z
2013-11-04T09:06:18.720Z
2013-11-04T09:06:18.720Z
Murch
<p>I've made a contact via LocalBitcoins.com and am going to buy some coins with cash. The seller is not verified, but as we will meet, it sounds ok:</p>

<ul>
<li>I show him the cash.</li>
<li>He transfers the Bitcoins.</li>
<li>We wait one block.</li>
<li>I give him the cash.</li>
</ul>

<p>Is this safe enough or is there anything I should take care of? Any scams known?</p>

<p>He requested to use my mobile internet, though (will enable Wi-Fi hotspot on the smartphone).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-01-07T17:48:19.097Z
I guess that waiting a little longer is not possible, otherwise I would suggest doing so.
elaforma
<trading><buy-bitcoins><otc><localbitcoins>
How do I buy Bitcoins safely face-to-face?
Borph
# How do I buy Bitcoins safely face-to-face?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-09-04)

I've made a contact via LocalBitcoins.com and am going to buy some coins with cash. The seller is not verified, but as we will meet, it sounds ok:

* I show him the cash.
* He transfers the Bitcoins.
* We wait one block.
* I give him the cash.

Is this safe enough or is there anything I should take care of? Any scams known?

He requested to use my mobile internet, though (will enable Wi-Fi hotspot on the smartphone).

**Tags:** trading, buy-bitcoins, otc, localbitcoins

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I guess that waiting a little longer is not possible, otherwise I would suggest doing so.  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2013-09-04. Score: 12 | Accepted answer

Shamelessly summarized from this [extensive guide on local transactions](https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=137272.0):

* You want to meet in a sufficiently **public location**, such as a pub or mall, preferably one that has an open wifi.
* If you have agreed on **terms** in beforehand, print out what you agreed upon and take it with you.
* If you have not agreed on terms yet, be sure to **check the current price** of bitcoin during the meeting.
* Wait for the transaction to complete and **check if the right amount** was paid. If the other person is willing to wait around for one additional block together that is a good sign.
* **Specify your expectations** in advance: When and where to meet, what each person will have on hand to make the deal, how the price for the bitcoins will be calculated.
* Consider taking a **second person** along for additional safety.


---

### Answer by username_2 on 2013-09-04. Score: 5

LocalBitcoins.com features a transaction service which guarantees that bitcoins have arrived to your LocalBitcoins.com wallet.

* You get a secret code when the bitcoin seller enables transaction service (escrow enabled) on the trade
* When the bitcoin seller releases the transaction the seller gets SMS with the your secret code
* Ask the seller and if he/she knows your secret code from his/her SMS it is safe to hand over the cash as you know bitcoins are then in your LocalBitcoins.com wallet
* Now you can transfer bitcoins from LocalBitcoins.com wallet to any wallet you wish

<https://localbitcoins.com/faq#howto_transaction>

Sometimes when somebody has suggested a deal where there the payment is 50% now and 50% later, it is a sign of potential scam.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: One more thing: Meet in a public place like a bar.  
> **username_0**: They have interesting services, yes. But I didn't set it up and it costs 1% fee actually, so the question was rather meant without escrow service.  

---

### Answer by username_4 on 2013-12-13. Score: 0

My answer would be: **"There is no way, to protect self from rapid scammer."**

You are, probably, should spent a great time with seller, say 3, may be 4 hours.

E.g. See this thread: [bitcointalk.org: If confirmation takes 10 minutes, how will I buy coffee at Starbucks?](https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=359934.0)

Another way is to use an arbiter, e.g. [www.bitrated.com](https://www.bitrated.com/)

> Bitcoin arbitration marketplace Protect yourself against online fraud
> with Bitcoin's m-of-n transactions.

Before you go to give your money to seller, an arbiter confirm transaction, wait for seller's confirmation, than send bitcoins to you.


---

