Common Craigslist Scams: False Ads and Lasting Consequences

Craigslist has been a go-to platform for buying and selling goods, jobs, and even properties for years. However, it is also a hotspot for online fraud, scams, and safety concerns. This article delves into the types of scams people have experienced on Craigslist, providing insights and tips to keep you safe.

Personal Experiences with Craigslist Scams

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I got scammed by someone who I met in person while in the process of a move. It was from Vegas to NJ, and there was a lot that I couldn’t take with me. Everything that I didn’t want got moved into the garage, and I let my neighbors know that it was free for the taking. I even posted an ad on Craigslist because I had furniture and other things. This girl responded and told me about a fire in her home. She took a lot of what was in the garage. Each day she would come back to see what else I had available. Then she started offering to help me inside. I was mostly packed up in a POD anyway, so I didn’t think any harm would come of it. She offered to shampoo the carpets in the bedroom. In the bedroom closet, I had a safe. We kept it unlocked and it was mostly storage for personal papers. Another friend was over, and we kept hearing her run back and forth from the bedroom to her car. She did this several times. Later after moving, I found out she cleaned me out of the entire safe. Other things went missing as well... Before I found out, she offered to "reorganize" the poorly packed moving POD. She did this by swiping the things that she wanted. I didn’t find out until I was moving everything into my new place that some of my furniture was gone.

Another individual was intrigued by a Craigslist ad which listed a 3-bedroom 2-bath house of 2000 square feet for rent at 850.00 monthly. Given the area in which it was situated and given that the "owner" said he was in the Philippines and could not show the house, they became suspicious and demanded a street address which the scammer sent them! They drove to that address and found a For Sale sign in front of it. They did a Google Image search on one of the photos in the Craigslist post and discovered that the photos and descriptions had been copied from a post which was offering the house for sale for 275,000.00— and the real owner of the house was very surprised when they called him to alert him to the attempted fraud.

Protect Yourself from Craigslist Scams

To avoid these kinds of scams, here are some tips:

Never send anyone you haven't met face to face any money, especially via wire transfer. Do a thorough background check on the person or listing. Check for any red flags or inconsistencies. Verify the authenticity of the ad by cross-checking details with local listings or doing a reverse image search on any photos provided. Be wary of requests for personal information or clicking on suspicious links. Use official drop-off zones provided by local police departments to avoid any potential harm.

Remember, the key to avoiding scams is to stay vigilant and informed. Always take necessary precautions and verify all offers or requests before proceeding. And if something seems too good to be true, it's likely a scam.

Conclusion

Craigslist can be a useful platform for many legitimate transactions, but it's crucial to be aware of the potential scams and take steps to protect yourself. By following these tips, you can minimize the risk of becoming a victim of online fraud.