Safety Tips

Look for the "Verified Seller" badge — these sellers have passed our identity and food safety check.

Read recent reviews carefully. Pay attention to comments about food quality and communication.

Check that the seller has a complete profile with photos, description, and listed hours.

Prefer using payment apps (Venmo, Zelle, PayPal) that offer buyer dispute options over cash.

Never wire money or pay via cryptocurrency to an unverified seller.

Be cautious of sellers who ask for full payment far in advance with no written order confirmation.

Always confirm your total before sending payment.

Meet sellers in well-lit, public areas for pickup when possible.

If picking up at a home address, let someone know where you're going.

Confirm your order before leaving — check quantity and any special requests.

For delivery, verify the delivery driver via the confirmation details sent to your phone.

Check tamales promptly upon receipt — they should be hot, well-sealed, and smell fresh.

Refrigerate tamales within 2 hours of receipt. Consume within 3–4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Inform sellers of any food allergies before ordering. Ask about cross-contamination if you have severe allergies.

Reheat tamales to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before eating.

Profiles with no photos, no reviews, and recently created accounts.

Prices that seem unrealistically low compared to other vendors.

Sellers who refuse to communicate through FindTamales's messaging system.

Requests to take the transaction off-platform.