Ask for references.      Before you agree to a sale or trade, find out a little about the trader's history. The more references she/he can provide, the better. Try to make sure that the references are valid by contacting them or visiting their webpages. Never send cash.      Paypal is probably the safest way to send money online, because there is a record of the sale, and the money can be refunded in case of a scam. Cash often gets "lost" in the mail. Money orders are a bit better than cash, but when possible, it's best to use Paypal or send a personal check, even if you have to wait for the check to clear. Remember, it's just as dangerous to accept cash payments -- if the money never arrives, you have no way to prove it. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.      Rapunzel for $100? Tux n' Tails for $20? Don't believe it! Also watch for sellers with "multiples" of the same item. They may actually be "selling" the same pony over and over again. Request photos.      Don't ever buy expensive ponies without seeing pictures first. Also, keep in mind that a scammer may send you photos that were taken by someone else. A quick Google Image search may help you identify photos that were stolen from websites or online auctions. Communicate clearly.      Make sure you give and receive thorough descriptions of ponies for sale or trade. If you want a pony in "mint condition," make sure the seller understands exactly what "mint" means to you. Some sellers will call a pony with minor body marks "mint." By the same token, if you are selling a pony with any flaws, make sure the buyer knows what these flaws are, however small. It will save you trouble and possible bad feedback in the long run. Save your emails.      Always keep a record of your emails to and from the seller until the transaction is complete. If the pony you receive is not in the condition described or was not mailed on the date agreed upon, you'll need a record of your correspondence with the seller to prove it. Don't let them rush you.      Scammers will usually rush a sale, trying to get your money as quickly as possible. Don't be afraid to take your time, ask questions, and check the seller's references before you send the money. Watch for suspicious behavior.      During a certain raffle on the MLPTP boards, the raffler kept postponing the drawing of winners. Baby Bloodflower decided to keep track of everyone who had entered the drawing. When the winners were finally announced, Baby Bloodflower observed that the grand-prize went to a brand-new member who had only ever made one post to the boards. The MLPTP's moderator tracked the two IP addresses and confirmed that the "winner" was the same person as the raffler. Remember, it never hurts to be cautious. Ask trick questions.      A buyer on the MLPTP once reported receiving an amazingly cheap offer for the pony Sweet Scoops. She asked whether it was the purple version or the white version. The scammer said it was the white version. Of course, there is no white version of Sweet Scoops. Scammers are often rather stupid -- take advantage of this!      Another example: before buying a "mint-condition Galaxy" online, a suspicious buyer asked, "how much will shipping cost for Baby Galaxy?" The seller replied with the price, as though she had been selling Baby Galaxy all along. Scam! Use their greed against them.      If you think you're being scammed after you've agreed to purchase a pony, try contacting the seller from a different email address with an offer to buy the same pony. An honest seller will, of course, tell you the pony is already sold. If the seller accepts the offer -- it's a scam! Talk to the community.      Always post the results of your transactions, whether positive or negative, on your own website or on a message board like the MLPTP. Keep track of good and bad sellers, and if you do get scammed, report the scammer so that others will know to avoid her/him. Help Sundance, Night Glider, and Beach Ball keep the pony community scam-free.