With the increased use of sites like Kijiji, Craigslist, and BuySell.com, the chances of criminal activity, including violent crime, has increased. While the overwhelming majority of users are trustworthy and well-intentioned, it is important to understand the risks associated with purchasing through these sites.
With thousands of human interactions facilitated through these sites, the incidence of violent crime has been extremely low. Nevertheless, it's very important to take the same common sense precautions online as you would off-line.
When meeting someone for the first time, please remember to:
- Insist on a public meeting place like a cafe
- Do not meet in a secluded place or invite strangers into your home
- Be especially careful when buying/selling high value items
- Tell a friend or family member where you are going
- Take your cell phone along if you have one
- Consider having a friend accompany you
- Trust your instincts