The online connection between two truck thefts being investigated by police in Timmins raises again the risks of doing business on the internet. Both trucks were listed for sale online.
The co-ordinator of the police foundations program at Northern College says there’s risk in putting any personal information on the internet.
Mack Pettigrew is also a retired OPP officer. He says Kijiji gives you the option to block all that, except your phone number.
“So that doesn’t let anybody know exactly where it is that you’re selling the item,” Pettigrew remarks. So they can’t go to say Facebook actually to even look up your name and a lot of people when they’re away on vacation say ‘Hey, I’m gone’. So they (the thieves) know the best time that they can go and take the items that you have for sale.”
He advises you thati anyone calls indicating interest in buying, screen that caller.
“Get their phone number and their full name and give them a call back,” he says. “Don’t have it where they have all your information, but you don’t have theirs.”
Pettigrew adds not to invite them to your home. Bring the item they’re interested in to a public, neutral location.