← Back to Deal Desk
Read this before you buy, sell, or share any details
Deal Desk does not verify who anyone actually is, does not check business ownership claims, and does not hold or guarantee any payment. You are dealing directly with another person you have not met. These tips exist to protect you — please take them seriously.
Safety Tips
Protecting your own identity
- Only share your name, email, phone number, or location with someone once you've chosen to — nothing is shared automatically just by browsing or listing.
- Consider using a dedicated email address for early conversations, rather than a personal or business one, until you've built some trust.
- Be cautious about revealing your home address, exact business premises, or financial details before you're genuinely ready to proceed.
- You can post a buying request without naming your business or employer — describe what you're looking for in general terms at first.
Before you share sensitive business information
- Use a Non-Disclosure Agreement (available from the "Generate Agreement" tool) before sharing financials, customer lists, or other sensitive material.
- Verify the other party's identity and, where relevant, their ability to fund a purchase, before going deep into due diligence.
- Keep a written record of what's agreed at each stage — don't rely on verbal promises alone.
Red flags to watch for
- Pressure to move fast, skip due diligence, or keep the deal secret from advisors
- Requests to pay a deposit or fee before any contract or verification exists
- Refusal to get on a call or video chat, or to provide any verifiable company information
- Payment requests via gift cards, crypto to an unknown wallet, or other untraceable methods
- A listing or buyer profile that seems inconsistent, vague, or too good to be true
Payments
Deal Desk's own fees (listing, featured, subscription) are processed securely by Stripe. The actual purchase price of a business or asset should never be paid directly to a stranger via bank transfer, crypto, or informal means. Use a solicitor-managed completion process for the actual transaction — see our Seller Agreement and Buyer Terms for why.
Meeting or communicating
- Prefer traceable channels (email, video call) over untraceable ones early on.
- If meeting in person, choose a public or professional setting.
- Trust your instincts — you're allowed to walk away from any conversation at any point, for any reason.
If something feels wrong
Stop communicating with that user, do not send any money or documents, and consider reporting your concern to us at [YOUR SUPPORT EMAIL]. If you believe you've encountered fraud, also consider reporting it to Action Fraud (UK).
Our role, plainly stated
Deal Desk is a listing and introduction service only. We are not a party to any transaction, we do not verify users' identities or claims, and we cannot guarantee the safety, honesty, or outcome of any interaction between users. See our full Terms & Conditions.