The Decatur Police Department are reminding you to be safe while buying and selling items online. Officers are recommending people buying or selling online, meet at the Police Department in their 'Safe Zone.'
Shaylyn Schall, an admin for a buy, sell, trade Facebook page says the page she helps manage, "Hottest Toys BST," has more than 15,000 people searching for the hottest toys.
"We do have a list of rules to keep everybody safe, but scams still happen," says Schall.
Schall believes safety is the number one goal of online sales.
"We ask that they post a real-life picture of the item they're selling. They need to have a piece of paper with the item with their name and date on it to show possession if it because anybody can take a picture saying they have this item for this much money, when they really don't have it," says Schall.
While many buyers will have the item shipped to their home, it's important to be careful when picking up the item in person.
"We established the Safe Zone to give citizens an area, or an opportunity to go to an area, that would be safe to conduct business over Facebook or Craigslist," explains Sergeant Jon Quehl from the Decatur Police Department.
The Decatur Police Department has seen crimes targeting people selling items on websites. That's why they recommend using their Safe Zone.
"They can do it under the canopy or go inside the lobby," explains Srgt. Quehl. "We have cameras in those areas, and obviously it's well lit, that we record. If there is any kind of problem, it's in a safe area, there's police officers around, and we can record the transaction."
"I think the safe zone is a good idea," Schall agrees, "I have heard of other people meeting somebody and they really don't have the toy or they try to rob you."
The Police Department recommends making transactions in the Safe Zone during business hours of 8am to 5pm, however, the lobby is open 24/7.
The Champaign and Springfield Police Departments say that their lobbies are also open 24/7 and can be used at any time to do a legal exchange of goods.
