Most online sales go smoothly. But robberies and fake payments during meet-ups do happen, and police services across Ontario now offer a simple fix: marked parking spaces at police stations where buyers and sellers can complete the deal.
Below is a list of exchange zones we checked against each police service's own website in October 2026, plus practical tips for using them.
What is a safe exchange zone?
A safe exchange zone is a clearly signed parking space, usually in the visitor lot of a police station. You don't need to book it, and it's free.
Two things to know before you go:
- Police don't supervise the deal. Officers won't witness the sale, check documents or settle disputes.
- Video coverage varies. Hamilton says its zone is monitored by video. Ottawa says its Safe Trade spots are not monitored 24/7.
The value is simple: people with bad intentions rarely agree to meet in front of a police station.
Verified exchange zone locations (October 2026)
Mississauga and Brampton (Peel Regional Police)
- 11 Division — 3030 Erin Mills Pkwy, Mississauga
- 12 Division — 4600 Dixie Road, Mississauga
- 31 Division — 2951 Convair Drive, Mississauga
- 21 Division — 10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite C, Brampton
- 22 Division — 7750 Hurontario Street, Brampton
Source: Peel Regional Police
Oakville and Burlington (Halton Regional Police)
The zones are in the visitor parking lots:
- 2 District — 95 Oak Walk Drive, Oakville
- 3 District — 3800 Constable Henshaw Blvd, Burlington
Source: Halton Regional Police
Hamilton (Hamilton Police Service)
- Mountain Station — 400 Rymal Rd E, visitor parking lot. The area is monitored by video.
Source: Hamilton Police Service
Ottawa (Ottawa Police Service "Safe Trade" spots)
Look for signs with a blue logo:
- 466 Metcalfe Street (visitors' lot behind the 474 Elgin Street station)
- 211 Huntmar Drive, Kanata
- 245 Greenbank Road, Nepean
- 4561 Bank Street, Gloucester (Leitrim station)
- 3343 St-Joseph Boulevard, Orléans
Source: Ottawa Police Service
Waterloo and Cambridge (Waterloo Regional Police)
- North Division — 45 Columbia Street East, Waterloo
- Headquarters — 200 Maple Grove Road, Cambridge (front parking lot)
- South Division — 176 Hespeler Road, Cambridge
Source: Waterloo Regional Police
Toronto, York Region, Durham and other cities
At the time of writing, we couldn't find a current official list of exchange zones on the websites of Toronto Police, York Regional Police or Durham Regional Police. Some stations allow meet-ups in the lobby or parking lot, but the rules differ by station.
Before you go, call the non-emergency line and ask which station you can use: Toronto 416-808-2222, York Region 1-866-876-5423, Durham 1-888-579-1520.
If there's no exchange zone nearby, pick a busy, well-lit public place with cameras, such as the main entrance of a shopping mall, during the day.
How to use an exchange zone safely
These tips come from the Halton, Waterloo and Ottawa police services:
- Meet during daylight. Treat any last-minute change of location as a red flag and walk away rather than go to a second spot.
- Bring a friend, or at least tell someone who you're meeting, where and when.
- Inspect the item before paying. Turn the phone on, test the laptop, check serial numbers.
- Share as little personal information as possible. Don't invite the other person to your home.
- Save the details: username, phone number, chat history. If something goes wrong, police will need them.
- Never complete a meet-up deal by mail. If someone offers to "send a courier" instead, that's a common fraud pattern.
- If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Getting paid safely
- Cash: count it in front of the buyer and check large bills for security features.
- Interac e-Transfer: confirm the money has arrived in your own banking app before you hand over the item. Don't rely on a screenshot or an email that looks like a bank notification.
- High-value items (phones, laptops, cars): insist on meeting at an exchange zone, even if it means a longer drive.
If something goes wrong
In an emergency, call 911. For anything else, report it to your local police service and keep all messages from the other person.
Selling on Fiva
Posting on Fiva.ca is free. When you list an item, add a line like "Meet-up at the 22 Division exchange zone in Brampton" to your description — serious buyers appreciate it, and it filters out people you don't want to meet.
Browse local listings: Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Hamilton, Ottawa.
FAQ
Do police watch the transaction?
No. Officers won't mediate, witness or check documents. The zone simply puts the meeting in a public, visible place.
Do I need to book an exchange zone?
No. Just park in the marked spot.
Are exchange zones open at night?
The parking lots are usually accessible, but every police service recommends meeting during daylight hours.
Can I meet at any police station?
Only the locations listed by each police service have marked spots. For other stations, call the non-emergency line first.
