Craigslist is great for all kinds of things. Yet even with the protections that Craigslist puts in place, scammers find ways to enter the marketplace where they sour deals with deception and outright theft. When it comes to safer sales on Craigslist, keep their advice in mind: “Deal locally, face-to-face — follow this one rule and avoid the vast majority of scam attempts.” You’ll see how it comes into play as we run down some of the top scams on their platform.

Types of Craigslist scams

Craigslist’s open, largely unregulated nature also attracts scammers looking to exploit unsuspecting users. From fake rental listings and overpayment schemes to fraudulent job offers and phishing attempts, scammers use a gamut of creative tactics to deceive people. Here are some of the common Craigslist scams and how to avoid falling victim to them.

Cashier’s check scams

Popular as this scam is, you can easily avoid it once you read how it works. Essentially, a scammer wants to purchase an item from you, and they really want to get their hands on it right now. So much so that they cut a cashier’s check, take a picture of it, and ask you to ship the item the same time they mail the check. Either the check never arrives, or it was a fake. You’ve shipped the item and now it’s gone for good.

Pet scams

This one can break some hearts. A scammer advertises a pet for sale or says they need to re-home a pet for varying reasons. Whatever the story, they will make up an excuse for not letting you see the pet before you pay, sometimes at a suspiciously low price. When you go to get your new pet, the scammer ghosts you, or sends you to a phony address or someone else’s home.

Middleman scams

This scam takes two forms. One is when they claim to be selling something for someone else. Another version is where they can’t meet you, but will have you meet someone else to make the exchange. Both are big red flags where scammers get you to pay up front, then ghost you at the pickup location. Just like with the pet scam, nothing was ever for sale.

Rental scams

On Craigslist, rental scams happen in a couple of ways. In one, the scammer lists an actual property that’s up for rent and pretends they’re the one renting it. In another, the scammer lists a property they don’t own and uses old images and information from the property’s past rental listings to trick renters into making deposits or reservations. These tactics work well in highly competitive rental markets, because the scammer demands payment without showing the property.

Overseas seller scams

Remember “Deal locally, face-to-face?” Clearly, an overseas seller breaks this rule. Here the scammer claims to be a student studying abroad, a member of the military getting redeployed, or a worker relocating to another country. They want to get rid of the items quickly because of a move-out date, which explains the low price. Again, you can’t inspect the non-existent items because they’re “overseas.” You pay for the item and its shipping, but you receive nothing.

Craigslist verification code scams

This last scam has a sad, ironic twist. The scammer wants to make sure that you are not a scammer. The scammer says they’ll send a “verification code” to your phone. And that’s exactly what it is, but not to verify your identity. It’s a verification code to activate a Google Voice account with your phone. Now the scammer has a number they can use to scam other people — in your name.

What Craigslist says to look out for

From fake listings and overpayment scams to phishing emails, Craigslist outlines specific red flags that users should recognize and avoid to ensure safe and secure transactions.

Don’ts

  • Don’t provide or accept payment before meeting in person.
  • Don’t wire money or send gift cards as payment.
  • Don’t accept cashier’s checks as payments.
  • Don’t honor requests to use an escrow service, it could be a scam.
  • Don’t provide any financial info like bank account numbers or cash app logins.
  • Don’t provide any personal info like your Social Security Number, driver’s license, or job references.

Also, watch out for these red flags

  • Offers involving shipping or movers
  • “Guaranteed” transactions or payment processing services
  • Requests to call or email for more info
  • Requests for a “code” or “verification”

A good Craigslist interaction will:

  • Use Craigslist’s email relay to discuss a specific item, service, or job
  • Arrange to meet in a safe, public place

A few more tips from us

Beyond the basics—like meeting in public places and avoiding wire transfers—there are additional tips to help you recognize subtle red flags, protect your personal information, and make smarter decisions when using the platform.

Go with a friend

For extra security, have someone make the exchange with you. That’ll give you extra support if the deal isn’t as advertised and an extra set of eyes to see if anything suspicious is going on. Also, let friends or family know when and where you’re making the exchange.

Ask questions

You can often spot a scammer by asking questions about the item for sale. Ask where they got it, when, what year and model it is, and so on. Some scammers might not have ready answers, which might raise a red flag.

Be careful with your info

Share the bare minimum. Use the Craigslist Mail Relay to communicate, which creates an email alias that hides your real email. Avoid sharing your cell phone number and your full name during the transaction. If you need to text or call the other party, consider setting up a VoIP number through Google Voice.

Don’t click on any suspicious links in emails or texts

They could link to scam or phishing sites. You can also stay safer with our Web Protection and Scam Detector. They’ll alert you if a link might take you to a sketchy site and block those sites if you accidentally tap or click on a bad link.

If something feels off, trust your instincts

If you suspect a scam, end the transaction. Don’t worry about any hurt feelings. Your finances and safety come first. Trust your gut, get out, and move on.