The Table View police have issued a stern warning to cybercriminals recently and have warned people against the dangers of going online, without knowing how to be safe and secure.
The warning comes after a spike in selling or buying online has been noticed in the community where cybercriminals scam online buyers.
The station commander, Col Junaid Alcock, has since appealed to the community to be aware when selling or buying items online and to always take the necessary precautions.
One of the most reported incidents is of victims who, for example, sold a vehicle via an online site and the buyer showed the complainant that payment was made via eft.
According to the Table View police spokesperson, Capt Adriana Chandler, the complainant handed over the vehicle and papers, and shortly after the buyer took the vehicle and left, the money disappeared from the account.
“It is advised not to hand over any property until the money reflects in your account for seven days,” Chandler told TygerBurger. “When buying online, make sure that the transaction is legitimate,”
Tips
- Rather adopt a pet from the SPCA or registered animal agency, than buy one online.
- Always meet in a public space, such as a police station to hand over items purchased or sold. Never meet at your home or in a secluded area. Purchase vehicles from a reputable company, rather than online. If something looks too good to be true, it usually is.
- Don’t disclose personal information.
- Communicate safely with sellers and buyers. When using Facebook Marketplace, always use Facebook Messenger to communicate with the other party.
- Meet in a public place.
- Always inform a trusted friend or family member about your plans, including the time, date, and location of the meet-up.
- Pick up or drop off items with a friend. There may be times when things need to be picked up directly from a person’s home or personal space. Large furniture, for example, may require a special vehicle, and it would be impractical to meet at a public location.
