How to Report a Craigslist Scam

Michelle Wilson - December 9, 2022

Craigslist was once a community electronic newsletter, quickly becoming one of the most visited English-language websites. It offers local classified options for over 450 different cities worldwide. Craigslist works to host various classified ads that cover virtually every category imaginable. Specific types include housing, employment, items for sale, personal ads, and services. There are also active forums available for users wanting to discuss various topics.

The founder wanted to connect other users with a noncommercial way to communicate with other people within their community. Posting for all classified ads are free, as is browsing and responding to ads. The website is entirely utilitarian, lacking any graphics or animation.

How to Use Craigslist

If you’d like to browse the platform, visit craigslist.org and start browsing one of the various categories. The website offers multiple menu options on the homepage, with each category containing several subcategories. For example, the “For Sale” category will contain various subheadings like books, cars, electronics, and more.

How to Contact Ads Through Craigslist

Most ads on Craigslist will contain a member’s email address, with a reply button at the bottom of the post. The website automatically masks the member’s email, so spam isn’t a grave concern. All transactions are private between the member and the interested party. Any employees for the website aren’t involved in communication or transactions.

Identifying a Craigslist Scam or Irrelevant Posts

When using Craigslist, always deal locally and face-to-face whenever possible. Most scams will request virtual payment or product shipping, making it a red flag. To help you identify potential scams, consider the following tips:

• Only offer payment for an item when you have met them in person.
• Always remain cautious for items involving shipping. Whenever possible, try to locate the item locally.
• Anyone requesting a wire transfer is probably not legitimate. Western Union is not an ideal payment venue as it offers no protection for the buyer.
• Transactions are always between the users only. There is no third-party arbitration available if things go wrong.
• Never accept certified checks, cashier checks, or money orders as payment. Many banks will cash fakes only to hold the recipient liable for the funds.
• Don’t give out any financial information online. Bank accounts, PayPal accounts, and social security requests are fraudulent and not needed for any purchases through the website.
• Always visit the property before renting. Likewise, carefully look at the item in question before purchasing. The fantastic rental or purchase could be fake or not even exist at all.
• Craigslist doesn’t offer any voice-activated service at this time. Any request for voice messages or voicemails is fraudulent and should be reported immediately.
• Never give out your personal information when talking to someone online. Keep all communication through the email platform until you’re ready to meet the seller in the public domain.

Reporting a Craigslist Scam Online

Spotting a scam post on Craigslist can be complicated, especially if you’re unfamiliar with buying products online. It’s always advisable to keep the red flags mentioned above in mind when browsing an ad, especially for high-demand products. If you’ve found a posting you believe is fraudulent, here’s how to report the content through Craigslist.

Reporting a Suspicious Post on Craigslist

Locate the flag icon above the posting along the top menu bar. All posts sufficiently flagged by community members are removed from the site. Craigslist staff and automated systems will remove anything suspicious.

Suspicious ads will request shipment of the item, pre-ordering, or a deposit without verifying the product. Most ads will also contain a hard-to-find item (like Sony’s PS5 during the Christmas season) or a housing rental with lower monthly asking prices.

Pay attention to the grammar and spelling within the article.

Although not everyone will have top-quality spelling in the ad, look for glaring errors that don’t make sense. Likewise, look for copying and pasting from a manufacturer’s website.

Report a Suspicious Email

When you’ve sent an email for a product, carefully review any response you receive from the seller. Look for misspelled words, poor grammar, or strange phrases. Most scam artists are outside the country and may not speak or write English well. Scam emails often contain form letters (generic and tailored to the masses). Many will make significant or considerable promises multiple times throughout the email.

If something reads suspiciously, copy a line from the email and search for it in Google. Anyone else receiving the email may have shared a copy of the letter they received. If you believe the contact you received is spam, report the post at the bottom of the email. There should be a link to report the message under the “Please flag unwanted messages (spam, scam, other).” Refrain from any response moving forward, and delete the message from your inbox.

Reporting Something Directly to Craigslist

Although Craigslist is relatively hands-off when it comes to interactions and sales, there are times when reporting the individual or IP address makes sense. If you communicate with someone, have reported an ad that’s still live, or want to let Craigslist know about a sketchy seller, you’ll want to use the platform’s contact form.

In the contact form, include your name, email address, the post’s numerical ID, and why you believe the post is a scam. All numerical IDs are located underneath the post, directly under the ad.

Should You Report a Craigslist Scam to the Police?

If you sent money or a deposit to someone, you might want to file a police report to try and have the funds returned to you. Unfortunately, police have little to no jurisdiction over anyone not within the local area. Many financial institutions require a police report to launch an investigation, but many of these reports go without resolution.

Individuals selling fake or defective merchandise locally should be reported to the police. Ensure you include copies of all messages, ads, and contact with the individual, including their contact details. It may be easier to arrange a trade at the local police station, where transactions are monitored.

Conclusion

Although many people now use other forums, social media, and online platforms to buy and sell second-hand items, Craigslist is still a relatively popular website. Always proceed with caution and ensure your product is in good working order before sending cash. Avoid anyone pushing for online transactions or shipping, as these are highly linked to scams and fraud. Reporting suspicious posts or products help keep the platform safe for all users, especially malicious actors trying to scam unsuspecting individuals. When in doubt, remember the adage—if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.