Full Notification

Buying and selling items online has become very popular.  With the internet and smart phone apps you can take pictures and post items for sale in seconds.  This convenience that people will come to you to buy your items has caused this type of purchasing to increase considerably.  There are countless sites/apps https://wellkeptwallet.com/best-apps-to-sell-local/ where you go to buy/sell items for significantly discounted prices.  The majority of the people utilizing these apps are good, honest people.  However, meeting a complete stranger and exchanging money for items could pose some inherent risks.  So what can you do to increase your safety when meeting people to buy/sell items?  Consider some of the suggestions below and click on the links to learn more.

• Meet at a reasonable time of day, preferably during daylight.
• Don’t meet alone or with children present.  Have someone accompany you.
• Avoid meeting at your home.  If you must, due to the size of an item, consider placing the item in the garage or on the porch/entry way.
• If you agree to meet at a neutral location consider a well-lit area with people around and possibly video surveillance cameras.  A grocery store or your nearest police/sheriff’s station parking lots are good options.  Don’t meet in an area that’s unfamiliar or uncomfortable to you.  If the other party is not willing to meet you in a place you feel safe, don’t meet.
• When purchasing items, inspect them for accuracy and be sure you’re getting what you want.  It’s okay to change your mind and not purchase the item(s).  Also, if a deal seems too good to be true, it usually is.  There are a lot of stolen items sold online.  Drug users oftentimes sell things at extremely discounted prices just so they can get money for a fast high.  Contact your local law enforcement if you think something is stolen. 
• Be careful with your money.  Don’t open your wallet and pull money out in front of the seller.  Consider having the exact amount agreed upon in a specific pocket.
• When purchasing online use credit cards or secure payment services instead of debit cards.
• When making online purchases in public, use your mobile phone network instead of WiFi.