The Press-Enterprise, Tips and recommendations when responding to a classified ad: - Speak to the seller by phone in addition to email correspondence before setting up a meeting - Limit giving personal information to the seller to just your name and cell phone number - Pay cash! Do not pay with personal checks or wire services - Meet the seller at your bank and pay with a cashier's check for high dollar purchases - Ask for a receipt - Keep it local! You are less likely to run into scams when buying locally - Use the buddy system and bring a friend when meeting a seller, especially for larger, high dollar items - NEVER give out bank account numbers, credit card numbers, social security numbers, or other personal identification - If the situation doesn't "feel right" for any reason, high pressure, evasive, too good to be true...walk away - Always report scams or other illegal activity to local police and government agencies
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