By Mary O’KEEFE

The internet has opened the world to everyone, especially those who want to sell or buy items. Sites like Craigslist seem to have a never-ending list of various things for sale – some at unbelievable prices. For some reason, maybe because there are so many who believe, “If it’s on the internet, it must be true” or maybe social media allows some users to lower their guard; whatever the reason, people continue to ignore danger signs and will go to a stranger’s home with money in hand to purchase something they haven’t actually seen.

For those who do find that great deal online and want to meet with the seller/buyer, there is a safer alternative than traveling to a stranger’s home or opening your home to strangers and that is to meet at a station of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Dept. For this area, that means the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station, 4554 Briggs Ave.

“We have always offered the parking lot,” said Det. Antony Meyers, LASD CV Station.

Meeting at a parking lot frequented by law enforcement is not a guarantee that the deal will be legitimate or that there will be no harm done, but it does reduce the likelihood of criminal activity.

There have been tragic results in the past with those using Craigslist including a man in Michigan who went to the home of a man who advertised moped parts for sale. The man fatally shot the victim for a part that was reportedly worth between $50 and $100. Another story involved a man in Florida selling a dirt bike. He and his son met two young men in an isolated location. The father ended up being fatally shot in front of his son.

Craigslist even gives tips on how to use its services including these: Insist on a public meeting place. Be especially careful buying/selling high value items. Tell a friend or family member where you are going. Consider having a friend accompany you. And trust your instincts.

It’s not just selling and trading websites that people have to be cautious about; phone and email scams are prevalent today.

“We are not getting inundated by calls but [scams] are going around,” Meyers said.

There are some scams that continue to hunt victims, like the IRS scam where victims receive a phone call that they owe a specific tax amount. The caller will threaten the victim with law enforcement and jail time if they don’t promptly pay.

“The IRS will not call you,” Meyers said.

Many times callers ask that payments be made via Western Union, Green Dot or iTune cards.

“They won’t call you and ask for payment [via] iTune cards,” added Sgt. Alan Chu, CV Sheriff’s Station.

“Another scam is the grandpa [grandma],” Meyers said.

This is when callers target an elderly person. They will call and convince them they are the victim’s grandson/granddaughter and they are in trouble. One scenario is the grandson is in Mexico, has been arrested and needs money.

The scammer tries to keep the grandparent on the phone so they don’t have an opportunity to verify that their grandchild is actually in need.

Meyers said a lot of scams target the elderly and that at times the callers can become aggressive. And these types of scams are not just over the phone; email and in-person scams are another way of persuading people to release personal information.

Meyers said he understands that people want to trust but, especially for the elderly, it is important to be cautious. If they have questions they should contact the agency that is supposedly contacting them. People can call the IRS directly, for example, and they can always call law enforcement if they are worried or if something seems suspicious.

  Mary Okeefe