The South African e-commerce market is booming. With millions of transactions taking place online each year, more individuals and businesses are buying and selling everything from electronics to fashion, vehicles to property — all at the click of a button. But with this growth comes a surge in digital fraud, scams, and mistrust between buyers and sellers.

This is where escrow services, like those offered by Paysho, are transforming the way e-commerce operates in South Africa — creating a safer, more trustworthy space for everyone.

What Is Escrow?
An escrow is a financial arrangement where a third party (like Paysho) holds and regulates the payment of funds for two parties involved in a transaction. The funds are only released when all the terms of the agreement are met. It’s a simple yet powerful tool to reduce risk and ensure both sides get what they agreed upon.

The Trust Problem in South African E-Commerce
According to the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC), digital crime, particularly in peer-to-peer online transactions, is on the rise. Many users of platforms like Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, and even informal e-commerce stores have lost money to fake buyers or sellers.

The problem? Lack of trust. Buyers fear paying for an item that never arrives, while sellers worry they won’t be paid after shipping a product or rendering a service.

Escrow Solves This
Here’s how Paysho’s escrow system changes the game:

✅ For Buyers
Funds are only released when you’ve received the goods or services in the agreed condition.

You no longer need to rely on “good faith” alone when transacting with a stranger online.

✅ For Sellers
You’re guaranteed payment once the buyer confirms receipt.

No more worrying about bounced transfers or fake proof of payments.

Use Cases in South African E-Commerce
Escrow is becoming essential in key sectors:

1. Facebook Marketplace & Gumtree
   Where fraud is common, Paysho provides a secure bridge for safer personal sales.
2. Freelancing & Digital Services
   Graphic designers, writers, and web developers can now transact safely with clients locally and abroad.
3. Online Classifieds
   For high-value goods like electronics, furniture, or vehicles, escrow ensures both sides play fair.
4. Small Online Stores
   New and niche e-commerce platforms can plug into Paysho to build buyer trust instantly.

The Impact: Safer, Stronger Growth
With escrow services like Paysho:

Confidence grows: Consumers are more likely to transact when they feel safe.

Reputation improves: Sellers using escrow signal trustworthiness.

Disputes decrease: With funds secured until terms are met, fewer transactions end in conflict.

What Users Are Saying
“Paysho made it possible for me to sell my laptop online without worrying. The buyer paid upfront into escrow, and I got the funds as soon as he confirmed delivery. It’s a game changer.”
— Nokuthula, Cape Town

“I won’t do any more Facebook Marketplace deals without Paysho. Too many scammers. This is the only way I feel safe.”
— Thabo, Johannesburg

Escrow = The Future of E-Commerce in SA
As South Africa’s digital economy grows, escrow will become the backbone of safe and trusted transactions. Whether you’re a buyer, seller, freelancer, or small business owner, Paysho empowers you to trade with confidence.

Ready to transact safely?
Use Paysho for your next online deal.
✅ Simple. ✅ Secure. ✅ Scam-proof.

➡️ Get started today at www.paysho.co.za

Have you ever been hesitant to buy or sell something online because you didn’t know if you could trust the other person? You’re not alone. In South Africa, a 2019 survey by Paysho revealed that 86% of online shoppers had never heard of an escrow service. But escrow services are a great way to protect yourself from scams when transacting with strangers.

What is an Escrow Service?

An escrow service is a third-party platform that holds onto the buyer’s money until the buyer receives the goods or services they ordered and are satisfied with them. This protects the buyer from losing their money if the seller doesn’t deliver as promised. It also protects the seller from not getting paid if the buyer backs out of the deal.

Paysho – Peace of Mind in Every Transaction

Paysho is a South African escrow service that offers buyer and seller protection for a variety of transactions, including physical and digital goods, and services.

Here’s how Paysho works:

The buyer and seller agree on the terms of the transaction.

The buyer deposits the funds into Paysho.

Paysho holds the funds until the buyer confirms they have received the goods or services and are happy with them.

Paysho releases the money to the seller.

Paysho is a win-win for both buyers and sellers:

Buyers get their goods as promised and don’t have to worry about being scammed.

Sellers get paid once the buyer confirms receipt and satisfaction with the goods and don’t have to worry about chasing down payments.

Why Use Paysho?

Peace of mind: Paysho takes the stress out of online transactions. You can be sure that your money is safe and that you’ll get what you paid for.

Protection from scams: Online classifieds and buy-and-sell platforms are rife with scammers. Paysho helps to protect you from being scammed by holding onto the funds until both parties are satisfied.

Convenience: Paysho is easy to use and can be used for a variety of transactions.

Paysho in Action: Real People, Real Protection

Real Paysho users have shared their positive experiences:

Henriëtte Krüger bought an expensive item with no concern for fraud, thanks to Paysho’s personal attention throughout the process.

Hein Abbott had a smooth and efficient transaction for musical equipment, with excellent communication from Paysho.

Msizi Kubheka avoided getting scammed by an architect by insisting on using Paysho. After the architect failed to deliver, Msizi received a full refund.

Tacet had a safe and successful transaction for a Synology NAS using Paysho, highlighting the importance of reasonably priced escrow services for safer trading.

These testimonials demonstrate how Paysho provides real protection for real people.

Don’t Be a Victim. Be Sure. Be Smart. Use Paysho.

Join the Paysho family today and experience the peace of mind that comes with secure online transactions. Click here to get started.

#BeSureWithPaysho

Online marketplaces are a popular and convenient way to buy and sell goods, but they also pose some risks of fraud and scams. One way to protect yourself and your money is to use an escrow service, which acts as a trusted third party that holds and releases funds according to the terms of the transaction. But is escrow always the best option? Here are some of the advantages of using escrow services for online marketplace transactions.

How escrow works
An escrow service is a company that provides a secure platform for buyers and sellers to complete their online marketplace transactions. The buyer pays the escrow service, which verifies the payment and notifies the seller. The seller then ships the item to the buyer and provides the tracking information to the escrow service. The escrow service confirms the delivery and releases the payment to the seller, minus a fee. If there is a problem with the item or the delivery, the escrow service can help resolve the dispute or refund the buyer.

Advantages of escrow
Using an escrow service in online marketplace transactions has several advantages for both buyers and sellers. Escrow reduces the risk of fraud and scams, as it verifies the identity and legitimacy of both parties, and ensures that the payment and the item are exchanged as agreed. It also protects buyers from receiving damaged, defective, or counterfeit goods, or not receiving the item at all, as the escrow service holds the payment until the buyer is satisfied with their purchase. Sellers are also protected from chargebacks, disputes, or non-payment, as the escrow service guarantees payment once the item is delivered and accepted by the buyer. Finally, an escrow service can enhance trust and confidence between both parties as they can rely on it to handle the transaction securely and fairly.

How to choose an escrow service
When choosing an escrow service for your online auction transaction, it’s important to do some research and comparison. You should look for an escrow service that is licensed, regulated, and insured by the relevant authorities in your country or region, and that complies with the laws and regulations of online commerce and consumer protection. Additionally, you should find one with a clear fee structure, terms and conditions, dispute resolution process, customer service policy, and written contract and receipt for your transaction. Lastly, you should make sure the escrow service has a good reputation and track record with positive reviews from previous customers and independent sources.