Staying Safe Online

Please don’t be alarmed by this page — NFED is not targeted by scammers any more than other websites or social media platforms. This information is provided to help raise awareness of common scams and protect users across all online communities.

We take the safety of NFED users extremely seriously. To help safeguard our platform:

• Access Controls: VPNs, proxy servers, and traffic from high-risk countries are blocked.
• IP Validation: IP addresses are checked using ProxyCheck to detect suspicious activity.
• Message Monitoring: Enquiries sent through our system are monitored for signs of fraud or abuse.
• Advert Verification: New adverts are reviewed using IP data, reverse image search, and payment details to help confirm legitimacy.

These measures are part of our ongoing commitment to keeping NFED a safe and trusted space for the equestrian community.

Online Safety: Protecting Yourself from Scams

Most people you’ll encounter online are genuine, but scams and fraud are global issues that affect buyers and sellers alike. The more aware we are, the harder it becomes for scammers to succeed.

How Scammers Operate

Scammers actively search online, printed ads, and social media for potential victims. They often:

• Create accounts on popular websites
• Use multiple email addresses, identities, and social media profiles
• Join groups to gain trust and access

They may contact you via direct message, email, text, phone, or even letter. It’s vital to know how to spot a scam.

Warning Signs to Watch For

• They seem friendly and share common interests
• They ask for personal details, money, or payment methods that can’t be reversed
• They pressure you to act quickly or bypass normal procedures

If something feels off, stop and question it. Genuine people will respect your caution.

Selling? Never Pay Anyone

There is no legitimate reason to pay money when selling. Common scam tactics include:

• Requests for release fees, insurance, customs, or transport cover
• Claims of overpayment requiring you to refund a third party

These are all scams. Do not be fooled.

Stay Alert and Act Quickly

If you suspect a scam:

• Ignore the contact immediately
• Do not send money or share personal/bank details
• Most scams become obvious before any damage is done — trust your instincts

Special Advice for Wanted Adverts

Scammers can use your advert to tailor fake offers using stolen photos and details. If you're advertising for a horse:

• Confirm the seller actually owns the horse
• Try a Google reverse image search to see if the photos have been stolen
• Ask why it hasn’t been advertised elsewhere
• Always visit the horse at their premises
• Get it vetted
• Ensure the passport exists and is genuine — it’s illegal to buy or sell a horse without one

Agreements and Payments

Whether buying, loaning, or renting:

• Research the advertiser thoroughly
• Keep copies of all communications
• Get full terms in writing — including vetting, care, facilities, and expectations

Buyers: Never pay by Bank Transfer or PayPal Family & Friends for items that can’t be collected. These payments are not recoverable. See our section on the Money Transfer Scam for more details.

Reporting and Social Media Safety

We welcome reports of suspicious contact made through NFED, but we cannot investigate scams from other platforms. If you’ve advertised elsewhere, please contact that site’s administrator.

If you use Facebook or other groups for advertising:

• Review your security settings
• Be mindful of how much personal information your profile reveals
• NFED ads shared on our social media pages do not link to your profile — viewers must follow the advert link, protecting your identity

Final Reminder: Stay Informed, Stay Safe

Think carefully about the information you share online. Scammers often rely on overshared details to build trust and manipulate victims.

Make sure you — and those close to you — understand the common types of internet scams and how to spot them. Awareness is your best defence.

For further advice and up-to-date guidance, visit Action Fraud.

If You Receive a Suspicious Email to your NFED Advert

1. Check the Offenders List. If the sender is not listed, forward the enquiry email to editor@nfed.co.uk
2. Google the Email address or phone number. Scammers are often listed on multiple websites.
3. Look out for common phrases: shipment, best price, agent, western union, wire transfer, Ebay Bank...
4. Check the Sender's Network IP using the link on the enquiry.
5. They may ask questions that are already answered in the advert.
6. Stop communicating with them as soon as you recognise a scam.
7. NEVER pay money up front to release funds to enable them to pay you.
8. NEVER give them your personal or bank details.
9. NEVER send overpaid money to a third person. (Over payment scam)
10. NEVER pay by Bank Transfer (BACS) for goods that are going to be posted. Payment cannot be reversed.
11. NEVER pay by Western Union or similar for goods that are going to be posted. Payment cannot be reversed.
12. NEVER pay by PayPal Family & Friends, it does not cover goods purchased.
13. PayPal Goods & Services has protection for posted items (subject to Paypal Terms).
14. If you are a victim of fraud, report it to the police. See www.actionfraud.police.uk

You can identify NFED enquiries by the Email subject line "NFED Classifieds Advert Enquiry".
Providing it is an NFED enquiry, we will check the senders address & either add it to the list to warn others, or let you know if we consider it to be ok. If the sender has already been listed below, there is no need to report it.

If You Receive Suspicious Calls or Texts

1. Record the number & time of the call.
2. If threats or sexual comments are made, report it to the police on the 101 number.
3. For nuisance calls or texts, block the number if possible & take a screen shot as evidence.
4. NOTE: Posting the number on social media may provide the sender with a direct link to your profile.

The advertiser name & phone number are hidden by default in the NFED Classifieds. By selecting to show your name and phone number or including an Email address in the advert text, you are overriding any safety features.

Common Scams

Buying & Selling Scams

Just remember the following, use common sense and enjoy using the NFED classifieds:

• NEVER under any circumstances send them any money or accept a cheque for over the asking price. They are not interested in your horse, saddle, car or whatever you are selling, they only want your money & will give hundreds of reasons for you to send it to them.
• For your protection, your Email address is hidden on the NFED Classifieds, unless posted in the body of your advert.
• If you do receive a suspicious reply, please don't bother to reply which will reveal your Email address. If you have already replied, just ignore any further Emails from them.
• If suspicious, check the senders Email address against the offenders list above.
• If the senders name is not on the list, please forward the entire Email to: editor@nfed.co.uk
• If we consider that the reply is genuine, we will tell you, if it is a scam, we will add them to the list & let them know that they have been reported. (Sorry, we do not always have time to acknowledge your Emails)
• If there is any doubt, we are happy to contact the Email sender on your behalf for further information.
• You know your subject and the questions that should be asked, they do not and are easily fooled.
• Their aim is to give you forged cheque for over the asking price & con you into sending the difference, which you will lose. Tell them that you do not have a bank account & will only accept cash on collection.
• Your bank will initially accept the cheque. Although it will probably clear and allow you to draw money against it, it will eventually bounce leaving you out of pocket.
• Wanted ads are also targeted. They normally send a short reply & when asked for more information send a copy of a real advert. If you carry out a Google search for a few lines from the advert, it often brings up the original. Never buy unseen or send money to anyone, if there is any doubt, walk away.

- Money Transfer Scam

NEVER use Bank or Money Transfer payments to purchase goods from private sellers unless the goods are in your possession. Fraudsters advertise goods or answer wanted ads, they gain your trust before taking payment by Bank Transfer, Paypal Family & Friends or by a money transfer company such as Western Union. They have your money, but the goods don’t arrive, the seller can’t be traced & it is not possible to get the payment reversed.

We would advise anyone buying tack, saddles or goods that cannot be collect in person to use Paypal Goods & Services as a method of payment. If the goods do not arrive within the time limit, you can raise a dispute through PayPal, it is then the sellers responsibility to provide Paypal with proof of postage. Don't accept excuses to take it over the time limit, raise a dispute well before or you will not be able to reclaim the payment. Don't be talked into using Paypal Family & Friends which DOES NOT cover goods purchased. This will send the money as a gift, is not covered by Paypal & like Bank Transfers, cannot be reversed.

For sellers, it is worth noting that Paypal should only be used for items that are posted & not large items that are collected by the buyer. Although rare, there are cases where an item has been paid for by Paypal & then collected in person. The buyer then makes a non delivery claim to Paypal. Proof of postage cannot be provided by the seller, so the payment is reversed. This leaves the seller without the money & the goods have gone to a buyer that cannot be traced.

Phone Scams

The caller claims that they are from a company or give a name that you know, explaining that there has been a problem with the payment or asking for payment for any other reason. They ask for your card details to rectify the problem.

THIS IS A SCAM. Never give your payment or personal details to anyone calling you.
Never call back the number given to you by phone.

• We DO NOT call for payment unless requested to by you.
• If there is a problem, you will be contacted by Email not by phone.
• Your name & phone number are hidden by default. If you don't show your number, they can't attempt the scam.
• If your advert can be seen, it has been approved & there isn't a problem
• If you request a call, we will provide your secret advert password as proof of identity.
• The scammers do not have access to your password, never give your password if asked.

All websites & printed media are being targeted. The NFED is certainly no worse hit than others, but we are determined to make life as difficult as we can for the scammers by ensuring all of our customers are aware of the scam & not taken in.

SENSIBLE PRECAUTIONS

• Never give your personal or payment details to anyone that phones you
• If you have already given your details, contact your bank immediately to cancel the card
• Never call back the number that the caller gives you - it is part of the scam
• Offer to call back the number given on the company concerned website or paperwork
• If genuine, the company will fully understand your caution

THEY ARE NOT UNTOUCHABLE

The scammers seem to think that they can't be traced but they are wrong, every phone or internet user leaves a trail. Withheld numbers can be traced if the phone service provider knows the time of the call. The service provider will then liaise with the police.
Every website user is recorded in server logs. This gives the IP address which will identify the criminal’s internet service provider. The police then have the power to contact the ISP for their records to obtain the customer’s name & address.

Adoption Scams

That horse or cute puppy in the photo on the legitimate-looking website is almost too good to be real. Often, he isn't.

One scam promises you a free puppy or horse, you only have to pay the shipping cost. Once the scammers get your payment, the scammer says your animal is stuck at the airport or port due to customs complications, and you are asked to send more money for up keep or to get customs release.

Finally, the scammer disappears along with your money. In many cases, victims think their animal is at the airport waiting for them after they've sent several payments. Don't reply to their Emails.

Charities, Rescues & Welfare Scams

In times of recession animals do suffer & there are plenty of people that want to help. Unfortunately the scammers know this & they never miss out on an opportunity to get part you & your money.

A number of scam horse welfare sites are now popping up with the intention of getting your donations or bank details. Please carefully check the credentials of any such site before entering any personal information. They make look very official with lots of photos of malnourished & neglected horses, or links & backing of other well known organisations, but this is meaningless & can easily be faked. Just because they say that they are supported by a well known organisation, it doesn't mean they are!

If they are a registered charity, they will have a registration number which can be checked online out at: www.charitycommission.gov.uk

If you would like to give money to charity or a welfare organisation, choose one which is well known and has a good reputation. If in doubt about an organisation’s legitimacy or credibility take the time to check it out with your local Horsewatch scheme, Police, or other reputable registered charity i.e. RSPCA, World Horse Welfare, Redwings Horse Sanctuary, The Donkey Sanctuary.