Randburg Police Station is warning the public to be careful when engaging in online marketplaces and shopping.
In the past, people have been taken advantage of and had their money and belongings stolen from them.
The following tips were shared by the police in an attempt to reduce the chance of the public falling victim to this:
- People are urged not to pay for anything sold online if they don’t have solid proof that it’s not a scam.
- Phone the person who is responsible for the advert and ask if you can see the product first before any money is exchanged.
- The public is advised to rather follow a ‘cash on delivery’ ideology when it comes to purchasing goods online.
- The exchange of money for goods should take place in a safe public place like a police station.
- Property for rent needs to be verified by visiting the property before any payments or contracts are signed.
Another issue police are hoping to address is that of common robberies and in particular criminals snatching phones out of the hands of the public. According to the police, suspects of these crimes are known to cruise around in taxi e-hailing vehicles and target unsuspecting victims waiting for a lift or nearby restaurants and shopping centres.
The public has been urged to be vigilant of this and their surroundings whenever out in public. Police have cautioned the public to keep their valuables such as cell phones, tablets and headphones out of sight in public spaces.
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