Craigslist Hi (2024)

FAQs

Why do people on Craigslist want your phone number? ›

What can a Craigslist scammer do with my phone number? If a Craigslist scammer has your phone number and gets you to verify a code sent to that number, they can use it to open a Google Voice account.

Always use a proxy email address or phone number

Once a potential buyer is truly interested, however, it's okay to switch communication to your cell phone; most buyers appreciate being able to text. If you're the one browsing, send questions to sellers through an email address you solely use for Craigslist.

When you reply directly from Craigslist, your email address will be visible to the recipient. To reply anonymously, you need to create a free Web-based email address, which does not contain identifiable information.

Savvy scammers know that by hijacking your mobile phone number they can assume your identity, intercept security protocols sent to your phone, and gain access to your financial and social media accounts. One way to hijack your phone number is through a porting-out scam.

For this reason, you may be tempted to give out your cell number on different occasions. You should keep your phone number private whenever possible due to all the information it contains. Allowing the wrong people to get this information opens you up to various risks.

Contacting Someone on Craigslist

To reply to a Craigslist post, just click the reply button. To use your device's default email app, select the first link. Otherwise, select the web-based email you use (like Gmail or Yahoo) or copy and paste the email address at the bottom of the window into a new email manually.

You can reply to any post on Craigslist — just click the "reply" button at the top left of a post, and complete the Captcha puzzle if you're asked to. Some Craigslist listings will offer a phone contact to call or text, though most listings will only offer an email contact.

Sometimes short and sweet (like a simple, “Thanks!”) is all that's really required. Sometimes a longer, thoughtful response is in order (like when a commenter asks you a question). However, remember that this isn't a two-way street. A lot of other people are often reading these comments as lurkers.

Can I trust people on Craigslist? ›

It is best never to trust someone on Craigslist fully to avoid the risks of encountering a scam. However, certain signs can suggest whether the person is a genuine buyer or seller. Most Craigslist scammers will not agree to meet in person. Instead, even local sellers will prefer shipping.

Additionally, bot-generated ads will often have odd spacing on the page, or be formatted strangely, or just be simply too good to be true. They are designed to stand out and entice the un-savvy to reply. Frequently, bot-generated ads will have photos that can help you identify whether the ad is legitimate.

Type your email address in the Reply To box. Type your email address again in the box next to the Reply To box. Then click "Anonymize" to make your post anonymous.

A Craigslist flag marks Craigslist advertising as inappropriate, and if enough people flag the ad, it will be automatically removed.

A legitimate buyer will more than likely ask for additional information about the item for sale, such as the condition of the item. Potential buyers who ask for personal information like your email address or phone number or request the funds quickly are most likely scammers.

When you call the buyer, use caller ID blocking by appending *67 before dialing the number.

Scammers can use your phone number to gather and release sensitive information to public sites and social media. They could also dump your information on the Dark Web for others to purchase and use.

To mitigate spam and limit the effectiveness of scam operations, Craigslist began requiring a phone number for verification on certain postings.