DPS establishes 'Internet Purchase Exchange Location' at its headquarters
SIKESTON --To help provide a safe place for online purchase transactions, Sikeston Department of Public Safety now has an "Internet Purchase Exchange Location" at its headquarters.
"More and more people are using social media to buy and sell items locally," said Capt. James McMillen, public information officer for Sikeston DPS.
These transactions, McMillen said, are often made through social media sites such as Facebook, Craigslist, eBay, OfferUp or other similar sites. Buyers and sellers often meet in different areas of their cities to make these transactions, he said.
"Most of these dealings go without incident but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be cautious when doing these types of transactions with unknown subjects," McMillen said.
Police agencies across the nation receive reports from both buyers and sellers about fraud, theft and even assaults and/or robberies in regard to these types of transactions.
"In the last few years we have seen some of this in Sikeston as well," McMillen said. "We realize the need for a secure location for these internet-based exchanges and want to offer two designated parking places at DPS HQ to conduct them." Sikeston DPS had two signs donated to them by "OfferUp" social media and these parking places are posted with the signs in the exchange location at the north parking lot of DPS headquarters, 201 S. Kingshighway, and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The parking lot is under surveillance at all times, McMillen said. The internet purchase location can be extended into the lobby of DPS headquarters to provide an enhanced layer of security, he said, adding surveillance video is better there.
"We encourage buyer and seller transactions to be conducted in the accessible lobby, just inside the front door," McMillen said. "Please remember: you need not request an officer unless there is a problem. The Sikeston Department of Public Safety will not act in any capacity as an official witness to or broker for any transaction. We are merely trying to provide a safe and secure location for this to take place to reduce victimization and fraud."
This offer will not extend to contraband, stolen items, weapon sales, prohibited services or other illegal items, McMillen added.
Here are a few tips to remember when buying and selling in this manner:
-- Be suspicious of a buyer or seller who changes the exchange location.
-- Always take someone with you to the transaction as a witness and so you aren't alone or more vulnerable.
-- Conducting the transaction during daylight hours and in a public place is always advisable.
-- If you must conduct a transaction at dark, do this at a public place that is well populated and well lit.
-- Trust your instincts. If it feels like a scam, it probably is.
"We strongly encourage you to conduct this exchange at our DPS headquarters," McMillen said. "The goal here is to do the best you can to make sure you make this exchange as safe as possible. Please remember these tips and use our designated areas to conduct your exchanges."