BATON ROUGE, LA – Amid the recent tragic news of a New Orleans man killed trying to sell dirt bike on social media, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is alerting the public to
take extra precautions while using online marketplaces.
“While the Internet can offer
opportunities for social interaction and electronic commerce, it unfortunately can
likewise host bad actors hiding their true
intentions behind keyboards and screens,”
said Attorney General Landry. “As we mourn the death of Mr. Vindel, Louisiana
should also become aware of best practices to help stay safe with online
marketplace transactions.”
Attorney General Landry listed
the following tips for online sellers and
consumers:
- Meet
at a police station. Beyond
the usual advice to meet in a public place, conducting the transaction in the parking lot of your local
law enforcement agency
can add an extra layer of
security. Many police departments and sheriff offices have dedicated
exchange spots and can deploy personnel to oversee the encounter.
- Bring
backup. Never
meet someone you do not know by yourself.
Bring a friend or family member with you; share your phone location with a separate
friend or family member.
- Protect
private information. Since you will be meeting at a public place or police
station, there is no need for a buyer or seller to know your home address.
Do
not invite strangers into your home. Clear personal information from
electronic devices before selling them.
- Only
bring enough cash for the purchase. Sellers demanding online transfers or payments before you meet to get
the product should raise a red flag. There are many types of gift card scams; strongly consider
avoiding transactions requiring payment with gift cards.
- Vet buyer/seller and trust your gut. Multiple profiles with the same name and picture, new
accounts or those with few friends/followers, and those with low ratings
should be warning signs. If
something does not seem right, cancel the
transaction and walk away. No product is worth your safety and well-being.
For more consumer safety tips, call the
Louisiana Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-351-4889.