by Jessica Tanner

Created on: November 04, 2009   Last Updated: November 26, 2009

Craigslist is an extremely useful source in buying just what you have been searching for or selling that item you have been trying to get rid of. Whether you are buying or selling, Craigslist can be a safe and easy tool to use if you take the right precautions. There are a few simple steps you can take to protect yourself on Craigslist from scams, identity theft and violence.

1. Personal Information

Do not give out personal information. Posting an ad on Craigslist means that you will have to give people a way to get in touch with you. Email is the safest route to take. Posting your full address or phone number is not necessary in your Craigslist ad. In posting an ad you may provide the town you are in and provide the email address that a potential buyer or seller should write to if they would like to contact you. If anyone ever contacts you asking for more personal information, do not give it out. Do not give out your full address, phone number, social security number or place of employment. Some scams are very good at manipulating you in to giving out this information. No matter what they say or how good they make it sound, keep personal information personal.

2. Payment

Post the form of payment that you will accept in your ad. This will prevent any problems you may face later on with a potential buyer. PayPal or cash is the safest form of payment when using Craigslist. Do not accept checks and do not set up a payment plan where the buyer will send you money every few weeks. Chances are if a buyer pays with a check it will be bad and if a payment plan is set up you will never receive the money. Do not give out your credit card information. Also, and this cannot be stressed enough, do not ever give out your social security number. No one needs it for any purpose.

3. Be Cautious

If you are meeting to buy, sell or even for a job interview, be cautious. Eventually, after communicating via email with the buyer, seller or potential employer, you may have decided to meet. If possible, meet during the day and in a public place. If you are meeting to buy or sell an item, the parking lot of a fast food restaurant or local grocery store is safe place to meet. An open public place helps to ensure your safety. Take someone with you and a cell phone. If you are meeting for a job interview the best place to meet is at the company's location. If this is not a job interview for a company and it is a more private venture then again meet in a public place, like a caf. It may be a little noisy, but in this case noise equals safety. Do not go if you are invited to meet someone in a hotel or at their home. The best way to avoid danger is to not go in the danger zone. A private unfamiliar place would be an unsafe situation.

With these three simple steps using Craigslist is safe, easy and enjoyable.

Learn more about this author, Jessica Tanner.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.