Herndon Man Warns of Craigslist Dangers After Larceny Attempt
Herndon Police offer tips to help residents protect themselves when selling items online.
Matt Nielsen had never had an issue selling items on Craigslist — until his recent attempt to sell an old iPhone went wrong. Now, the Fairfax County Public Schools teacher is warning neighbors and other residents to protect themselves from thieves who troll Craigslist for robbery opportunities. Nielsen had sold a few items on Craigslist before, and decided it might be a good place to sell an old phone no longer in use. Within an hour of his ad appearing on the site Jan. 21, Nielsen got a response from a buyer asking if the phone was still available: He could pay in cash and was in nearby Sterling, he said. In a string of emails that followed, Nielsen and the buyer worked out the details — which carrier the phone had, when he’d be by to …
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Beth Riddick
7:22 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013
In other cities where this has happened, sellers have started meeting buyers at the local police station. It's public, safe, and if someone doesn't want to meet you there, you can just move on to the next buyer. more ›