(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service Robbery Unit is warning the public to beware of their personal safety when buying or selling cell phones and electronics using various social media sites.
The Ottawa Police has received complaints from people selling electronic devices through social media sites who, when meeting a prospective buyer, are robbed. Some of the incidents have involved force.
“We’re reminding people to make safety their priority when arranging to meet someone to buy or sell items online,” says Sgt. Mark Kilby, an investigator with the Ottawa Police Robbery Unit. “There are things you can do to make these transactions safer.”
Sgt. Kilby suggests you bring a friend and meet in a public place such as a restaurant, sporting facility or the police station.
“Meet in daylight hours,” says Sgt. Kilby. “Last-minute changes to the meeting location should be considered a red flag and do not attend vacant properties or parking lots.”
He urges you to walk away from the deal rather than go to a secondary location. “If a meeting doesn’t feel right, that’s your gut telling you something is wrong. Trust it.”
For more personal safety tips, visit ottawapolice.ca (ottawapolice.ca/en/safety-and-crime-prevention/Personal-Safety.aspx)
