Kent Police issued an alert Wednesday about robberies and carjackings occurring when people agree to meet and buy/sell items after reaching an agreement on websites.
Incidents have been reported after people met through Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, letgo, Craigslist and others, according to police.
“In most cases, iPhones were the item, but anything can be involved,” according to the police statement. “In most cases, the item doesn’t even exist.”
Here are a few tips police offered:
• Avoid purchasing items from buy/sell sites; especially electronics.
• If you do arrange to meet, many sites have reviews for sellers/buyers; read those.
• Meet in a busy location and meet close to the entrance.
• Meet during daylight hours.
• If the other person tries to change meet locations at the last minute that can be a red flag.
• If the other person tries to change meet locations at the last minute that can be a red flag.
• Do not sit in your car and let them come to you. Get out and you both meet outside of the cars.
• Have money in pocket ready to go. Do not expose your wallet/purse.
• If the transaction feels suspicious, it probably is. Go to a safe place as soon as possible (inside store, call attention to those around you etc).
• The Kent Police Department parking lot is a designated meeting spot.
• If you see anything suspicious or are a victim of any crime, call 911 immediately.
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