Online Shopping warning

As we come up to the festive season, a lot of us want to shop online and look for good bargains 🛍️🛒

Here’s a few tips to help you stay safe, avoid buying stolen property, and not get taken advantage of:
💸If it is too good to be true, it probably is, or it could be stolen property.
💸If it’s being sold as new, ask for the receipt for the warranty. If they can’t provide it, that’s a red flag.
💸Check the seller’s profile, is it new or relatively blank?
💸If you make a purchase and need to meet somebody to get it, choose somewhere well-lit and well populated in public, near CCTV. If it has to be somebody’s home, take someone with you and let someone else know where you’re going and when.
💸Be especially cautious when buying power tools or high-end toy brick building block sets.

Sadly, if you unknowingly buy stolen property, you’re aiding criminals and inadvertently supporting them to steal more.
If you find a suspect listing or social media scam, call 105, or report it with us online at 105.police.govt.nz

More messages from your neighbours

Local Highlight

6 days ago

Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.

We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?

Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.