Provide or accept payment before meeting in person. Requests to wire money are scams. Requests to pay with gift cards are scams.

Understanding the Context

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.

Key Insights

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.

Final Thoughts

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.