Town Creates Nation’s First “Craigslist Transaction Safe Zone”
While the vast majority of purchases made via Craigslist go down without a problem, those don’t make the news; it’s the rare case of people getting scammed or attacked that earns the headlines. In an effort to reduce the chance of those sorts of incidents, one Pennsylvania community has created what it claims is the nation’s first Craigslist Transaction Safe Zone.
The police in Conshohocken, a borough on the outskirts of Philadelphia, recently decided that the police station parking lot and lobby were probably the safest places in town to allow area residents to arrange to meet with buyers and sellers from Craigslist, as the likelihood of being rooked out of your money or beaten up by a stranger drops when there are police officers in the vicinity and cameras rolling all the time.
Even with the Safe Zone available at all times of day and night, the Conshohocken police chief recommends that people arrange their transactions during the daytime and always bring a buddy.
Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.