Trade Window Scams: How to Stop Swaps, Gold Tricks and Pay-First Requests

The trade window is the safest way to trade in the game. It only completes when both sides accept, and if either side changes anything, the acceptance is cleared. Scammers aim for the moment you stop paying attention.

Trick 1. The last-second swap

Just as you are about to accept, the other player removes the item and puts in a similar one (a lower quality item, or another item with a similar name or icon). Changing the window clears acceptance, but if you click Accept again out of habit, you get the swapped item.

• If acceptance clears, check everything again from the start.
• Hover over the item and check the tooltip for name, quality color and stats.
• For stackable items, check the quantity too.

Trick 2. Gold amount tricks

Mixing up the gold, silver and copper fields, for example putting in 100 silver instead of 100 gold. For larger amounts, look at the gold field on its own.

Trick 3. Pay-first or split payments

"I can't send it all at once, so I'll send it in parts," or "Send half first and I'll send the rest." The rule is to put both sides' goods in the trade window in one trade. If there is too much for one trade, split it into several trades where what changes hands each time is of equal value.

Trick 4. Trading through a proxy

"My friend's character will hand it over for me," so you end up trading with a different character and nobody is responsible. Only trade with the exact character you agreed with.

Checklist before you accept

1. I looked up the other character in the Armory.
2. I checked item name, quality and quantity in the tooltip.
3. For gold, I checked the number in the gold field.
4. If acceptance ever cleared, I rechecked everything from the start.
5. I took a screenshot of the trade window.