Internet Sale Safety Tips

Safety tips concerning buying or selling items posted on the Internet

The Ottawa Police Robbery Unit recommends the following safety tips when buying or selling items posted on the Internet:

• Meet the person during the daytime hours and keep those meetings to public areas.
• Do not bring large amounts of cash to complete the transaction at that initial meeting.
• Let someone know when and where you are meeting the individual.
• If you are confident in the person you are dealing with, following the initial meeting, a second meeting in a public area should be made to complete the transaction.
• Confirm that the items you are purchasing are in working order or in fact genuine (i.e. test the cell phone, open the box and review its content).
• Never agree to complete a transaction in an obscure location or at an individual’s residence.
• Buyer-beware! Items priced at extremely low prices may be stolen and subject to police seizure and investigation.

September 1, 2009