As more consumers choose to do their shopping online and use Internet sites to sell personal items, local police departments noticed a trend of criminals capitalizing on the vulnerabilities of doing business with a stranger.
Here are nine quick and easy tips from Arlington Police Department to make sure you and your families are staying safe while shopping for and selling items this holiday season:
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Conduct research on both the product you are buying and the person selling to/buying from.
- Never list your home address, phone number, or anything else that could be used to identify you.
- Be wary of individuals who solicit your business without your permission.
- There is safety in numbers. Always take someone with you to conduct a transaction.
- Monitor your children's internet activity, don't be afraid to be nosy!
- Never meet in out of the way locations.
- Conduct business in a public area with people nearby and never inside of a vehicle.
- Don't allow the other party to change the location once you arrive.
In addition to these tips, the Arlington Police Department has created a Safe Exchange program where people can conduct face-to-face meetings for the sale or trade of items in the parking lot of the Ott Cribbs Public Safety Building (620 W. Division Street in Arlington).
Signage has been placed at the Ott Cribbs Public Safety Building, designating the parking lot as a Safe Exchange Zone. The items most commonly targeted by thieves are popular tennis shoes and electronics, such as cell phones, laptops and tablets.
Holidays
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