Craigslist scams: How to outsmart the scammers like a pro

Craigslist is a treasure trove of deals, bargains, and unique finds. But, with the vast array of legitimate listings, lurk the crafty scammers, ready to scam you whether you are a buyer or a seller.

Craigslist scams are an unfortunate reality, with scammers employing cunning tactics to prey on unsuspecting victims. From fake listings to phishing schemes, they roam freely on Craigslist.

But fear not! In this guide, we’ll arm you with the knowledge and wit to outsmart these scammers and navigate Craigslist safely. So saddle up, and let’s ride into the world of Craigslist scams with our wits about us!

Is Craigslist a safe marketplace?

Imagine, you are excited to see the new rental house that you bought on Craigslist at a dream rate, way below the actual market price. What you didn’t bargain for was getting conned out of your rental money because the listing on Craigslist was fraudulent, with fake tenant references in addition to the images you saw on Craigslist.

The scam artist persuaded you via email and text until you relented to sign a false lease and pay a large security deposit — all before seeing the flat in person. Seems like a very bad dream? Well, this could be a reality on Craigslist.

Because Craigslist, like any other online platform, has been associated with various types of scams and fraudulent activities over the years like posting fake ads, manipulating prices, or soliciting personal information. It is not safe until you stay cautious, take precautions, employ reliable security tools, and build knowledge of common scams on Craigslist.

Don’t fall for these 12 sneaky Craigslist scams

1. Scams involving rentals

Posing as landlords, scammers may promote a rental property at an extremely low price to entice naïve victims. Before enabling a viewing, they can ask for money or personal details just to vanish after getting the requested items.

Here’s what this scam may look like:

Source: Verified.org

2.  Fake check scam

Scammers hire unsuspecting employees and then give them a check for rent and groceries for the house. The employee is then asked to return some of the money.

By the time the bank and the employee realize that this was a fake check scam, the scammer has already disappeared with the employee’s money.

Here’s what this scam may look like:

Source: Wiyre

3. Fraudulent job postings 

These frauds frequently prey on job seekers in a desperate search for work and can result in identity theft or financial loss or they may request personal information for blackmailing or identity theft.

Here’s what this scam may look like:

Source: Reddit

4. Watch out for multi-step Google Voice fraud

Scammers pretend to be potential buyers in your listing in yet another unnerving attempt to steal your personal information. They urgently push you to leave Craigslist’s boundaries and demand that you text them at a number they give you.

Next, they demand that you divulge a one-time, six-digit code that was provided to your cell phone number. They assert that the purpose of this verification number is to confirm that this isn’t a false web listing.

This way they use a Google Voice verification code to hide their identity by using your phone number.

Here’s what this scam may look like:

Source: MacRumors

5. Ticket scams

Swindlers may use Craigslist to market fake or canceled tickets for concerts, sporting events, or flights. Buyers should be wary of tickets with a below-market value as these could be a sign of fraud.

Here’s what this scam may look like:

CLE tweeps: am I just old and naive or are all tickets on Craigslist total bullshit? Looking for Bruce tkts and can’t believe the shady scams on there rn. My own listing was just copied and used for some jerk’s scam listing. Ugh.

— cbtotts🟧 (@steinmondo) April 5, 2023

6. Money-mule fraud

These payment frauds are comparable to work-from-home employment scams, but they typically take things a step further.

When the hiring organization, which is typically located in another nation, gives them checks or wire transfers, desperate job seekers are unwittingly transformed into money mules.

Your only responsibilities are to receive and transmit these payments to other gullible money mules.

7. Scams involving online purchases

While buying items on Craigslist, buyers may become the target of scammers. Scammers may promote goods or services, demand upfront payment, then never provide the good or service they have promised.

8. Pet adoption scams

Posing as pet sellers, con artists trick users of Craigslist into purchasing sick or nonexistent animals. They might say things that aren’t true regarding the pet’s history, breed, or condition.

Here’s what this scam may look like:

Pet adoption scam news on Yahoo

9. Car sale scams

Scams involving car sales include falsified listings, dealers selling damaged or stolen vehicles, and altered mileage. To deceive buyers, scammers may sometimes demand urgent down payments or employ phony escrow services. 

Here’s what this scam may look like:

Source: Carbuyingtips

10. Scams using fake services

On Craigslist, con artists may post advertisements for services like house repairs, cleaning, or gardening and demand advance payment. They might never offer the promised services or produce work that is below par.

11. Scams involving Craigslist guarantees

In exchange for payment information, phishing emails supposedly from Craigslist may provide falsifying guarantees or certificates. These frauds seek to obtain users’ payment information from them.

Source: Reddit

12. Scams involving money transfers

If a payment is requested through an untraceable service, such as MoneyGram or Western Union, the victim is helpless if the transaction turns out to be false.

How to avoid getting scammed on Craigslist

To ensure your safety while using Craigslist, it’s crucial to exercise caution and follow best practices, such as:

1. Verify listings

Always double-check the legitimacy of the listings and the contact information provided. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true or listings that lack photos or detailed information.

2. Avoid getting hooked by phishing emails

Beware of phishing emails that pose as trusted contacts or businesses and trick recipients into revealing personal information. Some scammers even impersonate Craigslist, leading users to fake websites.

Always manually navigate to craigslist.org when logging in and avoid clicking on links from unexpected emails. If you receive emails claiming issues with your account, ignore any calls to action and go directly to craigslist.org to verify your account status.

3. Meet in a safe location

When meeting with a buyer or seller, choose a public place, preferably during daylight hours, and avoid isolated or sketchy locations.

4. Trust your instincts

If something feels off or suspicious, trust your instincts and proceed with caution. If a transaction seems fishy or a buyer/seller is pushing for unusual payment methods, it’s better to stay cautious.

5. Protect your personal information

Avoid sharing sensitive personal information, such as your full name, address, or financial details, unless necessary and only with trusted parties.

6. Avoid listings that seem too good to be true

Scammers upload fake adverts with stock photographs or duplicate listings to tempt customers by dangling in-demand products with prices that seem like a dream and once you get hooked, you lose your money along with your confidence. So it’s better to avoid such deals because they usually are fake.

7. Use secure payment methods

Stick to secure payment methods like cash or in-person transactions whenever possible. Be cautious of requests for wire transfers, money orders, or pre-paid cards, as these can be signs of potential scams. Also, never accept cashier’s checks, or certified checks as payment methods. Fake checks are easy to doctor.

8. Opt for a reliable VPN service to enhance your security

Look for a VPN service like PureVPN to hide your identity with top-notch encryption. It will keep your info under lock and key, ensuring your IP address stays anonymous even if you fall for their phishing scams.

If you got scammed, here’s what you can do next

Dealing with Craigslist scams can pose challenges in terms of prosecution, as scammers often operate from foreign countries and utilize stolen identities. If you find yourself falling victim to fraud, take the following steps:

Protect your data

In addition to reporting the incident to Craigslist, you should protect your account and personal information. If you fall for fraud, you should:

• Change your password.
• Contact your bank and let them know what happened.

Report the scam

• Alert others by flagging the suspicious listing on Craigslist using the red flag icon, and also provide a detailed report to Craigslist.
• Report the con to the Internet Fraud Complaint Center.
• File a complaint on the FTC complaint form and hotline (877-382-4357).
• Contact your local police department, especially if you had a face-to-face interaction with the scammer.

Inform authorities of business-related scams.

• You should report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Better Business Bureau (BBB) if it involves a business.

Be on the lookout for identity theft

• Scammers could wreak a great deal of damage if they get their hands on your sensitive information.
• For future security, consider using a service like PureVPN to conceal your identity.

Can you get your stolen money back?

Unfortunately, Craigslist’s terms of use outline that they’re not responsible for what users post, so getting your money back can be a tough cookie to crack.

Yet, there are a few things you can do to try to get your money back.

• You can submit a claim and ask for a refund from your bank if you used a Credit card to pay the scammer since most Credit cards have a purchase protection feature.
• You can report the fraudster to the police and if they find the scammer, you can get your money back.
• If your money or goods were insured, you can file an insurance claim after submitting proof of scam.

To avoid getting hooked on such scams and losing your hard-earned money, or worse your identity. Think about protecting your data better.

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Wrapping up

In conclusion, when it comes to Craigslist scams, remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is a scam! Stay sharp, be cautious, use security tools like PureSquare, and keep your witty senses tingling. 

For any assistance regarding PureSquare, do not hesitate to reach out via the LiveChat option. Happy Craigslist-ing!

Frequently asked questions