Advice for using Freecycle in a safe manner? I would like to keep my address and place of residence private.?

Question

Advice for using Freecycle in a safe manner? I would like to keep my address and place of residence private.?

Answer 1

First, make sure both your screen name and email address don't give your name or location away.

Second, when you meet for a Freecycle interaction, don't do it at home. I like to meet in Post Office parking lots, they are usually accessible, have parking, and are visible. You can also drop off, if convenient.

Third, if you do use your home, don't say "I'm gone at work all day" so people know your house is vacant. I like to say "I'm in and out all day" instead.

Finally, use your gut instinct. Don't select a person that gives you the creeps by email (Freecycle says it isn't automatically first come, first serve).

Answer 2

When posting offers and wanted messages on freecycle groups, you do not include residential address or your phone number.  You only include your zip code.  When you reply to a post and prefer not to give your address, you can arrange with the person to meet you in a public place.

The Freecycle group moderators usually delete the address and phone numbers that might be included in messages as they are moderating them before approving them to be posted to their groups.  This is for their member's safety.  That usually is mentioned in the group's rules. Then it is  up to the members to give their home addresses and phone numbers or arrange to meet when they reply to messages that have been posted to the groups. (The replies go directly to the people's email addresses and are not posted on the group site.)

Answer 3

All groups that I know of discourage you from disclosing your contact details, other than email address and Yahoo id, on any group posts, even to the point of deleting such information should you "accidentally" post it.  In this manner you are safe.

Then the biggest risk is when you actually exchange an item with another member, since that point you may meet, as one would when selling or buying any item locally.  Some people leave small items in shopping bags outside their homes in porches.  This is good for convenience but some people consider this a greater risk since it advertises that probably no-one is home.

If you do not want to meet you could always use a local & friendly charity shop to exchange items.  The point is you need to work through someone you trust.

Also remember you can improve your online privacy by signing up with an anonymous Yahoo id and and email id.

Finally depending on your concerns, do talk to your group's owner-moderator team and ask them for their opinions and perhaps help.  You never know they may already have arrangements in place.