Always use a proxy email address or phone number.

Use a secure form of payment.

Never wire money in advance.

Requests to pay with gift cards are scams.

If the listing is vague or uses a generic description that could apply to.

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Plan details in advance.

Even if you don’t detect anything suspicious (but especially if you do), follow these best practices whenever you buy or sell through craigslist:

This article provides safety tips for buying and selling items on craigslist.

9 essential tips to avoid craigslist scams.

Scammers often use unbelievably low prices as bait.

Legitimate sellers typically provide detailed information about the item or service.

Requests to wire money are scams.

First, we’ll look at the various scams and then we’ll talk about how to avoid them.

This can help you avoid falling victim to craigslist scams.

If you're on craigslist, you should take heed to protect yourself with these simple tips.

Avoid becoming a victim by understanding how they operate and what types of tactics they use.

Meet in public and bring a friend.

Understand which red flags to look out for when using craigslist to either buy or sell items.

Provide or accept payment before meeting in person.

In this guide, we’ll cover some of the most common scams on craigslist sites and tips for keeping your money and identity safer.

Trust your instincts when vetting buyers.

If you don’t plan to use a real estate agent to look for a house or apartment, be on high alert for scammers.

Requests to deposit a cashier's check are scams.

We’ve put together a guide on the most common craigslist scams, how to avoid them, and how to stay safe while selling or buying on craigslist.

Vague or overly generic descriptions:

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Stay safe when a buyer comes to your house.

In a rental scam, someone on craigslist will list a property for rent to steal your money or your personal and financial information.

Home and apartment rental scams.

Evaluate listings carefully before agreeing to meet.

For more craigslist online safety tips, visit the service's avoiding scams page.

Fortunately, craigslist has instated a few deterrents in the system over the years, but scammers continue to find clever ways around them.