Staying safe

Able Gear connects people directly, so a few simple habits keep you safe. Please read these before you meet a buyer or seller.

Meeting in person

• Meet in a busy public place in daylight. Many police stations have a "safe exchange zone" for online sales; these are ideal.
• Bring a friend or family member if you can, and tell someone where you are going.
• For large items like a lift or an adapted vehicle, arrange for another person to be present at the pickup.
• Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, walk away.

Money

• Inspect the equipment and confirm it works before you pay.
• Cash or an in-person e-transfer at the meeting is safest for local sales.
• Never send money by wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Those are the tools of scammers and cannot be recovered.
• Be cautious of anyone who wants to pay more than you asked, or who sends a "shipping company" to collect. That is a common scam.

Red flags of a scam

• The other person refuses to meet or talk by phone and rushes you to pay.
• An offer or price that seems too good to be true.
• A request to move the conversation to a different app right away, or to pay a deposit before seeing the item.
• Poor spelling, a story about being out of the country, or pressure to act fast.

Equipment safety

Used medical and mobility equipment should be checked before use. Look for wear on brakes, straps, tires, and frames, and confirm any recall status with the manufacturer. Some items are regulated or should be fitted by a professional. When in doubt, ask an occupational therapist or the supplier.

Reporting a listing

If a listing looks like a scam, is spam, or is not appropriate for Able Gear, use the "Report this listing" link on the listing page. Reported listings are reviewed, and listings with several reports are hidden automatically while we check them.

Questions or a safety concern? Email info@ablecanada.ca, or see our About page for how Able Gear works.