Buying & selling Items ONline
Buying and Selling Items Online:
If you are buying or selling items through an online marketplace, it is important to ensure a safe and secure transaction.
Buy and Sell Zones
Note: Police cannot assist with civil transactions, but can help with bylaw, provincial or criminal matters.
To enhance public safety and reduce crime, the Calgary Police Service (CPS) encourages members of the public to use CPS district office parking lots for in-person exchanges of items bought or sold online. These locations offer law enforcement presence or video surveillance, helping to deter criminal activity.
Safety tips for buying and selling online
For a safer internet buying and selling experience, follow these tips:
- Meet in a public place, such as a Calgary Police Service district office.
- If possible, bring a friend or a family member.
- Meet in person to thoroughly inspect the product before exchanging money.
- Keep things local and in cash. Do not use cheques or money wiring services.
- Do not give out personal or banking information like your social insurance number, bank account number or address.
- Inform the buy/sell site of any attempted fraud or suspicious emails, ads, or other activity.
- In the case of suspected fraud, file a police report.
- Use common sense. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Searching property serial numbers
Online marketplaces are sometimes used to sell stolen goods. Use the Canadian Police Information Centre’s (CPIC’s) online database to search item serial numbers and ensure it has not been reported stolen. (Add a link to the Canadian Police Information Centre Database)
More Crime Prevention Resources
Stay one step ahead: check out more tools, tips, and crime‑prevention resources.
