Last month, Dallas real estate agent and mom Martha Teran did something thousands of people do every month: she decided to sell her daughter’s iPhone. She posted the item on a popular resale app called OfferUp, and met with the buyer(s) in the parking lot of Medieval Times in Dallas.
Unfortunately, during the transaction, Ms. Teran was fatally shot and killed. (Two men have been arrested and face charges of capital murder.) With that awful, tragic news, police departments are reminding the public to use “safe exchange zones” when selling or buying a personal item.
Did you know that many police departments have “safe zones” outside their department headquarters? Some even have designated parking spaces you can use, and still other police departments allow a buyer and seller to meet inside their headquarters lobby to make an exchange.
As you can guess, these areas are well lit and typically, they’re under 24-hour video surveillance. Every city is different, so be sure and call the non-emergency number of your local police department to inquire about their policies.
More tips to make sure you stay safe during an e-commerce transaction:
Never meet anyone at your home or their homeAlways meet in a public placeAvoid meeting at nightTake a family member or friendBeware of using a credit card or driver’s license:this info can be used for identity theftDo not conduct business in a vehicleDon’t allow the other party to change the location once you arriveIf it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
We can only imagine the heartbreak and sadness The Teran family is going through, and we offer our sincere condolences. If you’re conducting an e-commerce transaction, please be safe and be aware.
