Craigslist is a massive platform that allows you to buy and sell goods or services, which is great if you’re trying to get your hands on something or sell some old possessions. What’s more, Craigslist has expanded into other areas, and it’s even possible to find work or meet new people.
Unfortunately, platforms that have thousands of users tend to end up with a few bad eggs, so it’s important to learn about the various Craigslist scams that you can come across. The good news is that we’re here to help. In this article, we take you through various Craigslist scams you need to be aware of. Read on to learn more.
What Is Craigslist?
Craigslist is one of the biggest online platforms in the world, with more than 20 billion page views per month. This makes it one of the biggest online platforms out there, and just about anything goes on Craigslist. You’ll find things for sale, forums, groups to help you meet people, job listings, and a lot more. Ultimately, it’s a platform that connects people to do business, make friends, or even date, making it one of the more comprehensive social platforms on the internet.
5 Common Craigslist Scams
There are dozens of possible scams that can happen on an online platform like Craigslist. However, some are more common than others, so we take you through the five most common Craigslist scams below.
1. Fake Job Listings
First and foremost, we have to start with fake job listings. The platform doesn’t have a ton of moderation, so you’ll find that many jobs are scams.
You can spot a fake job listing by checking for red flags, including not having a big online presence or a recruiter asking you to purchase the equipment yourself. Scammers may even send you fake checks or ask for personal information, like your Driver’s license, to try and steal money or your identity.
2. Phishing Scams
Unfortunately, you always have to be aware of phishing scams. If you’re speaking with a seller or recruiter, it’s a red flag if they send you a link via text or email off the platform. Phishing scams work when scammers get unsuspecting users to follow a bad link.
These links can run malware on your device or bring you to a page that looks legitimate. Then, when you enter your information, the scammer keeps it for themselves. Always avoid clicking suspicious links in emails or texts.
3. Ticket Scam
Another common scam on Craigslist is ticket scams. These scams involve scammers claiming to have tickets to an event, often at a lower price than you can find anywhere else.
Unfortunately, these tickets are often too good to be true and may end up being fake. Even if the tickets are legit, they may be from an old event or used, so if you’re seeing tickets for sold-out events, you may be walking into a scam. You can also check to see if there are multiple listings for the same tickets.
4. Overpayment Scams
If you’re selling something on Craigslist, you have to watch out for scams related to overpayment. The purpose of these Craigslist scams is for scammers to send you too much money in hopes that you’ll send some back. However, once you send the money back, the scammer will cancel their first payment and steal your money.
Always be careful when accepting money, and if someone does overpay, you be hesitant to send it back because it’s rare that someone will give you too much money by accident.
5. Escrow Scams
Another common scam on Craigslist is an escrow scam. Due to Craigslist’s lack of security, many scammers have gotten, well, creative. They’ll set up fake escrow companies to process your payment and claim that it’s for your protection.
While that may give you peace of mind, in reality, the scammer is pocketing your money. If anyone is asking you to pay through a third party, it’s safe to say that you’re probably dealing with a scam.
Stay Safe Against Craigslist Scams with UnMask
When using a platform like Craigslist, you need to protect yourself. Whether you’re buying, selling, or looking for a job, make sure you’re keeping an eye on common Craigslist scams to ensure that you don’t walk into a trap.
The best thing you can do is run someone through UnMask’s phone number lookup site to ensure that they are who they claim to be. It combs through millions of public records to verify someone’s identity using their name, address, or phone number. It’s a great way to run a mini background check on people you meet on Craigslist to ensure that they’re legitimate.