The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) is advising residents to adopt safe practices when engaging in online buying and selling through platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist, and Ebay. While these marketplaces offer convenience, meeting strangers for transactions carries inherent risks.
To mitigate these risks, FCPD strongly recommends utilizing their designated Safe Exchange Zone parking spots. These zones are located in most district station parking lots and are monitored by 24-hour video surveillance, offering a secure and visible environment for completing online purchase meetups. Community members are also welcome to use the lobbies within district stations as additional safe meetup locations.
Further safety tips include meeting in public places during daylight hours, bringing a friend or family member, and thoroughly inspecting items before purchase. Buyers and sellers should trust their instincts and walk away if a situation feels suspicious. It is also advised to verify the other party's identity, avoid sharing personal information like home addresses or Social Security numbers, and use secure payment methods such as PayPal or Venmo, steering clear of wire transfers or money orders. Suspicious activity should be reported to the platform and the district station's Crime Prevention Unit. Residents can also register their cameras with Connect Fairfax to assist FCPD in investigations.