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We join with those who mourn the loss of life,  the injuries, and the disruption of lives caused  by the attacks  against Washington,  DC, and  New York, N.Y.    All those effected -- the brave people who helped in rescue efforts, those involved in America's response to terror and in the war with Iraq-- are in our thoughts and prayers.

No, that’s not what the ads in the classified advertisements said.  But that’s what happened!

Police in the Los Angeles area have received complaints that at least seven people have been robbed this year after placing ads in a local reseller magazine.  In each case, the victims had offered Macintosh computers for sale.  Police speculate that criminals may have had potential buyers for the Macs, or that they thought they would be easy to resell.  Of course, computer ownership may also tip thieves off to above average household wealth.

In several cases, the seller invited the potential buyer into his or her home, only to be bound, gagged, and robbed during the initial contact.  In other cases, the thief left under the pretext of getting the cash to complete the deal but returned to perpetrate the hold-up.  Sometimes the crime was pulled off by a single person; other times, two people were involved.

The solution is not to try to sell unwanted items or to avoid classified ads.  There are several tips you can follow to protect yourself in these situations.  If the article for sale is easily portable, meet potential buyers in a public place like a restaurant.  If you must meet the buyer in your home, do so only during daylight hours and have at least one other person present.  You should also move the item into the living room.  That way a potential thief doesn’t have an opportunity to case additional rooms for valuables.

Remember, you are not trying to win a struggle with a burglar.  You are only trying to deter the thief from making you the victim.

[Webmasters note:  This article was originally written in July 1994 for the VSAC News.]