Phoenix police say officers are seeing a boom in crimes related to online sales.
Whether it's tickets to the hottest concerts or used computers, online sales can be an easy way to get a great deal...or get ripped off.
Officials say there are ways to protect yourself from crooks:
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If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
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The location of the exchange should be somewhere in public that has many people around like a mall, a well-traveled parking lot, or a public area. Do not agree to meet at someone's house, a secluded place, a vacant house, or the like.
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Try to schedule the transaction while it is still daylight, or at least in a place that is very well-lit.
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Ask why the person is selling the item and what type of payment they will accept. Be wary of agreeing to a cash payment and then traveling to the deal with a large sum of cash.
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Bring a friend with you to the meet and let someone who isn't going with you know where you are going and when you can be expected back.
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Know the fair market value of the item you are purchasing.
- Trust your instinct! If something seems suspicious, or you get a bad feeling, pass on the deal.
"When the hair on the back of your neck stands up as people always say, use that instinct - go ahead and back out of that deal, move on because understand that there's no product, there's no discount or great deal that's ever going to be worth your personal health and safety," said Lt. Paul Taylor with the Phoenix Police Department.
