Experts in the tactics of sex traffickers say zip ties left on cars are not an indication someone is being targeted.

Christine Barber, the executive director and co-founder of Street Safe New Mexico, an organization that helps victims of trafficking, said that rumors making their rounds on social media are offering false information.

“None of that is true, and none of that exists, and none of that happens,” Barber told KOB. “They will not target you as you’re going into Costco. They will not put a mark on your car. That is not how it works.”

Barber, who has 15 years of experience working with victims, said most sex trafficking involves a period of grooming to gain the trust of the potential victim. “This can take weeks, this can take months,” he said. “After the grooming process, the trafficking victim believes they have this great relationship with the trafficker.”

She added that 50% of trafficking victims are trafficked by their families and suggests keeping an eye on daughters, sisters, and friends, who could be potential victims. It’s why she’s upset about the misinformation on social media.

“While we’re looking at zip ties on random doors in the middle of parking lots and we’re all up in arms about that the traffickers are out there actually getting away with it because we’re not looking in the right place,” Barber said.

Those seeking relevant information can visit the Street Safe New Mexico website and avoid rumors on social media.

“The next time you see someone say I got a zip tie on my car, I got a white dot on my car, in the parking lot– shut them down on social media,” Barber said.