Provide or accept payment before meeting in person. Requests to wire money are scams. Requests to pay with gift cards are scams. Requests to deposit a cashier's check are scams. This article provides safety tips for buying and selling items on craigslist. For more craigslist online safety tips, visit the service's avoiding scams page. We’ve put together a guide on the most common craigslist scams, how to avoid them, and how to stay safe while selling or buying on craigslist. Home and apartment rental scams. If you don’t plan to use a real estate agent to look for a house or apartment, be on high alert for scammers. Avoid becoming a victim by understanding how they operate and what types of tactics they use. First, we’ll look at the various scams and then we’ll talk about how to avoid them. Fortunately, craigslist has instated a few deterrents in the system over the years, but scammers continue to find clever ways around them. If you're on craigslist, you should take heed to protect yourself with these simple tips. 9 essential tips to avoid craigslist scams. Even if you don’t detect anything suspicious (but especially if you do), follow these best practices whenever you buy or sell through craigslist: Never wire money in advance. Evaluate listings carefully before agreeing to meet. Scammers often use unbelievably low prices as bait. Vague or overly generic descriptions: Legitimate sellers typically provide detailed information about the item or service. If the listing is vague or uses a generic description that could apply to. Always use a proxy email address or phone number. Plan details in advance. Meet in public and bring a friend. Stay safe when a buyer comes to your house. Use a secure form of payment. Trust your instincts when vetting buyers. In this guide, we’ll cover some of the most common scams on craigslist sites and tips for keeping your money and identity safer. In a rental scam, someone on craigslist will list a property for rent to steal your money or your personal and financial information. Understand which red flags to look out for when using craigslist to either buy or sell items. This can help you avoid falling victim to craigslist scams.
