Kent, WA — The Kent Police Department has issued a public advisory urging residents to exercise caution when buying and selling items through social media platforms such as Facebook Marketplace.
Authorities report a rise in scam-related incidents, with fraudsters using increasingly sophisticated tactics to deceive buyers and sellers. Officials emphasized that scammers often impersonate legitimate users, request personal information, or push for payments through unsecured or non-traceable methods.
Police recommend that users verify profiles carefully, avoid sharing sensitive personal details, and always meet in safe, public locations when conducting in-person transactions. Residents are also encouraged to bring a friend when meeting strangers and to trust their instincts if something feels suspicious.
The advisory highlights several red flags, including deals that appear too good to be true, requests to move conversations off-platform, and pressure to complete transactions quickly. Buyers are warned against sending deposits or advance payments, while sellers are advised not to accept overpayments or unusual payment methods.
Officials also stressed the importance of using secure payment platforms and verifying funds before completing any transaction. For large purchases, residents are encouraged to finalize deals in visible, public areas or designated safe exchange zones.
The department reiterated that community awareness is key to preventing fraud and urged anyone who suspects a scam to report it immediately.
“Stay vigilant and take your time before making any decisions,” the department advised.