Topic: localbitcoin is it safe? - page 2. (Read 12374 times)

If you buy bitcoins, and the person you are buying from has good feedback, there should usually not be a problem.

However if you're selling bitcoins, and you're doing so to a new person, you're running a risk for being scammed. For example the buyer (scammer) lists an item on an online auction for sale (iphone) for example, and when he gets a buyer, he gives the buyer the bank account details of the bitcoin seller. The bitcoin seller receives his money, and happily sends the bitcoins to the scammer. The bitcoin seller has no reason to suspect anything nerfarious going on. Then, when the victim never receives his iphone, he contacts his bank, which again contacts the bank of the bitcoin seller, and we have a problem. Depending on the bank and/or law enforcement, this can cause a lot of problem for the bitcoin seller.

Verifying the purchaser before initiating the trade could avoid such problems, or only selling to those that already have a lot of good feedback, but that would make it more difficult for new people to start trading. Also trading for cash face to face could be an option, which would be less prone to fraud, esp. if you meet in some respectable place. And if it's the first trade you do with someone, don't trade for larger amounts than what you can afford to lose, just to be on the safe side.

Yes, I have enjoyed both times I've had face-to-face meets to sell to new buyers. I have to admit, the first time felt very shady and "drug-dealery" taking an envelope stuffed with cash in a tube station foyer. The second time was much better though, relaxing over a coffee in a local Portuguese cafe. For the convenience factor though, online is much easier for busy people with jobs to do, family and friends to spend time with, etc. And because of that the margins are generally higher for face to face.

I'm on localbitcoin and love it. Unlike a lot of people on here, I enjoy meeting actual people in the real world.

i have used localbitcoins many, many times - its the only way I purchase bitcoins in the UK, There is the transferwise/bitstamp method but you have to wait 2 days at least.

I find the localbitcoins system great and have never had a problem. There is a lot more competition recently which is brining prices right down (Yesterday I was seeing prices cheaper than the latest mt.gox quote). Now it seems there are plenty charging £1-2 above the going rate which is a massive improvement on a few weeks ago (£10-15 commission per coin). Bitbargain is also good - normally more expensive though.

Same can't be said for ping-it! when I did try that, I just lost £30 and a couple of hours on the phone trying in vain to figure out how they had managed to mess up and lose any record of my deposit! I didn't get that back until 3-4 months later, but only by taking it up as a fraud case through my own bank.

Owen has it right. You don't need to add an email address. That's just to alert the payee that something is arriving in their account - so more useful for companies which don't have a constant fire-hose of cash pouring in like Bitstamp. And the reference number is the one from your Bitstamp page and goes in the payment description. Hope it all goes/went smoothly for you.

I cannot remember the exact details, if you are talking about the reference message (code) then that should go in the message box in the payment window. Basically anywhere you can write a personal message is generally where the reference code goes. I have only used this method once so I do not remember the exact terminology, adding that reference code provided is essential though. I am sure someone more experienced  will post soon and help you out.

ok help needed, ive signed up to transferwise and bitstamp. ive put the banks name as the creditor the iban and BIC in the boxes.....BUT.... the number they say I need to put in the bank deposit message does this go in "payment description/message" and they provide no email do I need this.

thank you guys im on the cusp of owning some lovely btc.

ok guys cheers for the replies so by the swing of things transferwise is the best way to go....you say direct debit, this is good news. so basically I can be in for a penny in for a pound tonight? minus 36 hours?

I recently made a purchase with Bitbargain and the transaction was swift and went down ok, I think the main question should be is it worth it in terms of value.

LocalBitcoins provides both an escrow service for online transactions, and a transaction service for in-person transactions. Provided you use either service, and only deal with reputable brokers, you'll be in pretty good shape to avoid getting screwed over.

Might want to play it safe the first time and just go with a guy that has a lot of customer feedbacks.

It looks like each town has one major seller in it, with over 50 positive feedbacks or so.

Edit: ok just checked it out again now... actually 10 feedback is prob more reasonable.

I've bought bitcoins in the UK from blockchain in the past, but their UK bank account funding option has been closed, and so has their pingit account. The same has happened to other exchanges offering bitcoins by UK bank transfer, and I'm not aware of any currently operating.


I bought a few on localbitcoins. It works, and you simply do a bank transfer from your online banking to their account, so the person you trade with will not have your account details.

The cheapest way of buying bitcoins from the UK at the moment seems to be using transferwise (http://transferwise.com/) and one of the online exchanges (Bitstamp or MtGox). Transferwise do cheap bank transfers from the UK to the EU - they have a UK bank account to which you can transfer money, and will convert to Euros at a decent rate and send it as something called a "SEPA" transfer. Bitstamp and MtGox will both accept SEPA transfers in.

What you do is setup a Bitstamp (or MtGox, but I've not tested that) account, go to "Deposit", and then "EU Bank(SEPA)". Setup the deposit and you will be given a whole load of bank details. Then go to transferwise and set up a transfer, entering the bank details Bitstamp gave you as the recipient. Finally you pay transferwise, either by debit card or bank transfer. Funds have arrived within 36h when I've done it, but it apparently can take up to 3 days.

I've been both buying and selling on there for a couple of weeks (60+ transactions) and I've had no problems at all. Look for properly verified sellers with OTC logos and as franky1 says, make sure you enable escrow and you'll be fine.

Im from the UK so i am experienced in this more then most the american users. local bitcoins does not draw the money out of your account like a direct debit does. it is for you to SEND the funds via the bank transfer method. so your safe with that.

what you should do though if your not meeting them is ensure escrow IS enabled.

hi im interested in buying some bitcoins im from the uk, i recently signed up on blockchain under the impression i could "ping-it" but, alas, i didnt ping anything and im left with a btc'less account also they have no blue buttons to click or ways i can buy BTC under the uk options of buying.

so... local bitcoin has some ppl on there offering btc by bank transfer but if i send my bank details to them can they somehow draw more out than is agreed or could they basically rob me? on another note i dont really want to meet people in person unless i really have to but to me this is a big step backwards being a didgital currency an all if its the only way i can get my paws on some.

any help would be greatly appreciated.