NYPD urges online marketplace sellers to take precautions during holiday season
NEW YORK (PIX11) – As the holiday season ramps up, many of us are still shopping, some of it online.
However, some marketplaces people use to buy and sell used goods have the potential to be dangerous. This is why the NYPD asks people to complete online transactions in person diligently.
The NYPD says while online marketplaces are generally safe, it is important to be careful when selling things to people you don’t know.
NYPD Deputy Commissioner of the Community Affairs Bureau Mark Stewart says the best way to sell something is in a safe space.
He says every precinct, transit house, and police service area in the city has an e-commerce exchange zone outside it. New Yorkers can safely complete their transactions.
The zones are recorded and monitored inside by an officer at the precinct.
“If you’re going to do a transaction, don’t bring a lot of cash,” Deputy Commissioner Stewart says to use a cash app. “Come to the precinct to the e-commerce zone, do the transaction you don’t have to come inside.”
Deputy Commissioner Stewart adds that the best way to identify a bad apple is to ask them to meet at a precinct regardless of what they have to sell.
“We have bad people who might try to set you up to rob you,” he said. “If they say they don’t want to come to the precinct to meet you, don’t give them your home address.”
The NYPD adds the e-commerce zones are watched 24/7.
You do not need an appointment to show up.