Didn’t get what you want for Christmas? If so, then maybe your quest to find the perfect gift for yourself will take you to the classifieds sections of the newspaper or a website like Craigslist that offers a similar type of service. There are precautions that need to be taken in order to reduce the risks inherent in such a proposition, and the police department of Dearborn, Michigan has related how to get past those risks in a new report.
First, only make the transaction if you can meet the seller face to face. Many scams attempt to trick the buyer into wiring money and then that money just disappears. And if you’re selling an item, you have to be wary of cashier’s checks which can easily be forged. Never hand over credit card or other account details, and always give whatever you’re purchasing a thorough inspection so that you can be sure it’s what you paid for.
Once you actually schedule the meet-up with the seller, make sure that you are going to meet him or her somewhere there will be a lot of passing traffic. Do not give out your address or meet that person someplace they could easily take advantage of you. Have a trusted acquaintance who can go with you and have a cellphone ready to go if you need to call for help.
Finally, be prepared to walk away from a deal that doesn’t feel right.