## Practice Safe Transaction Practices for Local Purchases Before messaging a seller, review their Facebook profile for consistent local activity and community ties to reduce the risk of scams. Ask for additional photos of the item, and confirm the pickup location is a safe, public spot in Kingstree, such as the Kingstree Police Department parking lot or a busy local grocery store lot, rather than a private residence if you do not know the seller personally. Avoid paying for items upfront via wire transfer, gift cards, or other irreversible payment methods, as legitimate local sellers will accept cash or secure in-person payment via Facebook Pay at the time of pickup. Always inspect the item in person before completing the purchase to confirm it matches the listing description and is in working, undamaged condition.