Craigslist is a web site designed for people to post local ads. Jobs, cars, apartments, babysitters, children's items, and electronics are only a few of the many types of ads you will find. No matter what you are looking for, Craigslist is a great place to start your search.
While it is a great place to find things, Craigslist still receives it's fair share of scammers. It seems as if each and every day produces a new way of scamming people out of their hard earned money. Before placing or responding to an ad, arm yourself with the knowledge so you will not fall victim to one of these scams.
During your search for a new home, a response comes from someone offering you a good deal on a nice place. The email will state the owner of the property is in another state or country. Simply send a money order via Western Union and the keys to your new place will be on their way. Seems fishy? That is because this is a scam! One of the biggest scams to watch out for, the scammers have taken photos of a home that is not their own and advertised it as for rent/sale.You might as well rip your money in half and throw it in the trash, as once you have forwarded the cash, you will never hear from them again. Getting your money back once you have sent it is almost impossible.Watch out for anyone you can not meet in person. Other indications it might be a scam can be found in the email itself. Grammar is often not bad, and you will notice words or phrases not commonly used in America. Most of these scams are from Nigeria and other foreign countries.
Craigslist lists many jobs in all categories. Always send an initial email when you find a job you are interested in. Scammers have a couple of ways to scam job seekers, one is with your resume. Personal information contained in your resume can give to much information to those wishing to do harm. You never know what a person can use this information for, so always make sure it is a reputable company before revealing personal details.
Job seekers also run into a listing for a job that is really just an ad. When you receive a reply you will be directed to another website "to finish the application process". This site will usually be askingyou to submit a credit report,done through this link. Personal information can be stolen this way as well. Other times you will be directed to a link wanting you to purchase something such as hotels or auto insurance.
There are many other scams out there. These are the two most popular scams you will encounter on Craigslist. By playing it smart you can rest assured you will not become the victim of a scam.