Consider meeting at one of the following Chesapeake police precinct parking lots: * **First Precinct:** 1202 20th Street, Chesapeake, VA 23324 * **Second Precinct:** 120 North Battlefield Boulevard, Chesapeake, VA 23320 * **Third Precinct:** 3415 Western Branch Boulevard, Chesapeake, VA 23321 * **Fourth Precinct:** 2130 South Military Highway, Chesapeake, VA 23320 When arranging the meeting, explicitly suggest one of these locations. Honest buyers and sellers are generally willing to meet at a police station. If a user refuses to meet at a precinct or suggests a secluded area instead, treat this as a red flag and cancel the transaction. ## Evaluate Buyer and Seller Profiles
Before agreeing to a transaction, take time to investigate the other person's Facebook commerce profile. * **Check Account History:** Look at how long the account has been active. Newly created profiles with little to no activity, no friends, or missing profile pictures are often associated with fraudulent accounts. * **Review Commerce Ratings:** Facebook Marketplace allows users to rate buyers and sellers. Look for profiles with positive ratings and reviews from previous transactions. * **Analyze Other Listings:** Check the seller's other active listings. If they are listing the same high-value item in multiple cities across the country, it is highly likely to be a scam. ## Follow Safe Payment Practices Payment scams are common on online marketplaces. Protecting your money requires strict adherence to secure payment rules.
* **Avoid Prepayments:** Never send money, deposits, or shipping fees before physically inspecting the item. Scammers often request holding deposits via digital payment apps and then disappear. * **Use Cash or Secure Apps at the Meeting:** Cash remains the safest payment method for in-person transactions. If you prefer digital payments, use peer-to-peer services like Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle only *after* you have met the person, inspected the item, and agreed to the purchase. * **Beware of Overpayment Scams:** If a buyer offers to send a mobile check or pay more than the asking price and requests that you refund the difference, decline the offer. These checks are typically fraudulent. * **Do Not Share Personal Information:** Keep all communication within the Facebook Messenger app. Do not share your phone number, email address, or bank account details. ## Inspect the Item Thoroughly When buying, never hand over money until you have personally verified the item's condition. * **Test Electronics:** If you are purchasing electronics, phones, or appliances, meet near an electrical outlet or bring a portable power source to ensure the device turns on and functions correctly. * **Verify Authenticity:** For high-value designer goods or collectibles, research how to spot counterfeits beforehand and inspect the item closely during the meeting. * **Confirm Vehicle History:** If purchasing a vehicle, meet at a professional mechanic shop for an inspection and verify the vehicle identification number (VIN) and title status before exchanging funds.
## General Personal Safety Tips * **Bring a Friend:** Never go to a transaction alone. Bring a family member or friend to assist you and observe the interaction. * **Keep Transactions in the Daylight:** Schedule your meetings during daylight hours. Avoid late-night meetups, even in public spaces. * **Trust Your Instincts:** If a deal seems too good to be true, or if the communication feels suspicious, walk away. Your personal safety is always more important than a transaction.
