The claim: Human traffickers marking cars to identify future victims in Pennsylvania

Days after the FBI announced hundreds of human trafficking victims were found in a nationwide operation, some social media users claimed traffickers in Pennsylvania were using various tactics to identify future victims shopping at a popular grocery chain.

"Potential human traffickers at Uniontown Wal Mart. Cars are being marked and blocked by shopping carts," read part of the Aug. 23 Facebook post that was shared more than 300 times in three days. "The police are already here, but if you're walking back to your car and see people waiting, if your car is blocked in by carts, or a marker of some sort is placed on your vehicle, DO NOT GO TO YOUR VEHICLE."

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But police said there was no such incident reported at that location, and experts told USA TODAY human traffickers are not known to use such measures to identify potential victims.

USA TODAY reached out to the user who shared the claim for comment.

Traffickers often use long-term tactics, develop relationships with victims

Pennsylvania State Police did respond to Uniontown’s Walmart on Aug. 23, but it was for a report of retail theft.

“No report of a human trafficking incident,” Cpl. Brent Miller told USA TODAY.

Walmart declined to comment on the claim.

Alicia Peters, an associate professor of anthropology at the University of New England, told USA...

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