HESPERIA-(VVNG.com): On December 29th at about 3:00 p.m. a Hesperia woman planned to meet with a man from a Facebook group that expressed an interest in the purchase of some Michael Kors purses and wallets she had recently posted for sale. The sale price for the items was $330, which included two purses and two wallets.
The male suspect, sent a Facebook private message to the woman in order to arrange to meet her at her home near 7th Avenue and Muscatel Street to purchase the purses and wallets. The man described as a black male adult in his mid-20’s drove up to the seller’s home, the woman walked outside to show him the purses and wallets while he remained in his black Audi sedan. The man allegedly grabbed the purses and left the home without paying for them.
The woman quickly called 911 and made a police report to the Hesperia Sheriff’s Department. The woman who posted the purses and wallets for sale posted them for her mother and said she is unsure which group he found the post in since she posted in several groups.
As of 9:00 P.M., on Tuesday no arrest have been made. To avoid becoming a victim of theft or crime it’s important to exercise caution when agreeing to meet someone who you met online. Below are a few important tips to consider:
10. Don’t reveal personal information
Remember this is a business transaction, so never reveal Social Security numbers, home or business addresses or banking information.
9. Keep your cell phone close
Have a cell phone in your hand during the entire transaction and be ready to call 911 at the first sign of trouble.
8. Don’t use your personal email
Use an anonymous email address to communicate with the buyer or seller.
7. Disable caller ID
Disable caller ID when calling the buyer or seller on the phone. Most cell phone and landline carriers offer this by dialing *67 before making the outgoing call.
6. Don’t pay in cash
Do not accept cash and do not offer to pay in cash. Use a cashier’s check instead and make it a non-negotiable term of the transaction.
5. If it’s a high-priced transaction, do it at a bank
The higher the price of the item involved, the higher the risk of the transaction. Conduct these transactions at a banking facility so a banking professional can confirm the funds have been delivered successfully.
4. Always meet during the day
Never conduct your transactions at night.
3. Never meet at home
Find a neutral site to meet — never at your or someone else’s home.
2. Tell someone
Tell a trusted friend or family member what you’re doing and have another trusted friend or family member accompany you to the transaction.
1. Always meet in a public place
Most police departments will be happy to accommodate you, and they are open 24/7.
(source:CNN)
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