Suffolk County sheriff offers safe transaction zones for in-person exchanges of online purchases

ByEyewitness News WABC logo

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Safe transaction zones for online purchases offered in Suffolk County

People in Suffolk County buying and selling items through online marketplaces can carry out sales in person at designated safe transaction zones. Chantee Lans has the story.

SUFFOLK COUNTY (WABC) -- People in Suffolk County buying and selling items through online marketplaces can now carry out sales at designated safe transaction zones.

In a news release, the Suffolk County Sheriff reminded people of the free-to-use spaces which are meant to help protect people from possible theft or assault.

The designated areas are located at the Sheriff's Office at 100 Center Drive in Riverhead, and at the Yaphank Facility at 202 Glover Drive.

The Sheriff's Office says the areas are clearly marked with red and white signs and are in full view of on-duty deputy sheriffs.

No appointment is necessary, but the Sheriff's Office is urging people to conduct sales during daylight hours and reminding people that deputies are not official witnesses.

The Sheriff's Office also released the following additional safety tips:

Do not go to a transaction alone

Make sure a friend or family member is aware of the transaction details

Insist on meeting in a public area like the Sheriff's Office's safe transaction zones

Do not go into someone else's house, and do not allow them into yours

Complete the transaction during daylight hours

Be extra cautious when buying or selling valuable items such as vehicles and jewelry

Only use cash or money orders to complete your transactions

Trust your instincts, if it sounds like a scam it probably is

If someone is not willing to come to the Sheriff's Office to do a transaction it is probably not a legitimate transaction.

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