Palmerston North police are investigating after a man stole four e-scooters off the roadside, painted them black and then sold them on Facebook Marketplace.

The victim who purchased the scooters for his family paid a thousand dollars for them.

Lots of New Zealanders use Facebook Marketplace to sell used goods, or grab a bargain.

But how safe is it really?

Netsafe chief online safety officer Sean Lyons spoke to Charlotte.