Police: Practice Safe Online Shopping

Daytona Beach, FL – We’re just weeks away from the busiest shopping season of the year.

And since we’re so close, local police departments want to remind you how to be safe when you’re buying or selling online.

“If you’re going to do this type of thing, make sure you’re doing it in an area that’s safe,” said Messod Bendayan, Daytona Beach Police Department’s Public Information Officer. “It’s unfortunately very easy for someone to get online and stay anonymous and lure you into a situation where you’re the victim.”

That situation recently unfolded in Daytona Beach, involving the sale of a car. Just last week, a man using the popular online marketplace app, LetGo, listed his 2006 BMW for sale. When he met with the supposed buyer off of Keech Street, he was carjacked at gunpoint.

That case is still active and Daytona Beach police are still looking for the suspects.

When using apps like LetGo, Mercari or Facebook Marketplace, it’s important for buyers and sellers to meet in a safe location that’s monitored by local police departments.

“You can tell whoever you’re dealing with to meet you at the police department. We have two specific locations just for this kind of thing,” said Bendayan.

Those sites can be found at Valor Boulevard, the headquarters of the Daytona Beach Police Department. They’re marked by blue signs, one right at the entrance and two marked parking spots near the west side of the facility.

If you’re not sure if you have a location near you, ask your local police department or law enforcement agency for locations on where to carry out these exchanges.

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Source:: News Daytona Beach