Barbadians have been urged to exercise caution when advertising items for sale on social media platforms.
Crime prevention officer with the Barbados Police Service, Inspector Roger Babb, said social media platforms had become an integral part of life, and were seen by some as avenues to advertise products.
“These platforms are attracting users of all kinds and have presented opportunities for criminals to exploit. This method of sale can place sellers of items as targets for criminal activity,” Babb said.
He shared the following tips to assist Barbadians when using social media platforms to purchase or sell items.
• Do research about the agency or social media influencer before jumping on social media trends.
• Monitor comments and messages from the prospective buyer, and if you feel uncomfortable, ignore the offer.
• Do not be lured into making a transaction at the purchaser’s demands; set your own terms.
• If you must, have someone present with you when making the transaction and do it in a populated area to avoid becoming a victim of crime. (BGIS)
