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Precautions when using CraigslistThe Internet has overcome fears of insecurity by comforting users with firewalls and virus scans. Shopping and banking websites have instituted security and theft-protection techniques, and many users are beginning to think they aren't at risk. That must be why scammers and criminals can make a living cheating people out of their money. Some users have become too confident they're protected. Email scams have proven people can be "duped", their money taken and their information stolen. The technology available today may help stop hackers and data-thieves, but phishing and fraud succeed by contacting the user themselves. Being a community that exists to help person-to-person communication, Craigslist is an understandable target for these criminals. On Craigslist, where people go to sell, earn, and connect, sharing information may seem natural and almost necessary. The trick for users is to pay attention to what pieces of information they are giving out, and whom they are trusting to tell it to. While there is always going to be a level of risk involved when using Craigslist, precautions can be taken to help limit the risk of fraud. Scam attempts don't work when the target knows it's a scam. That's why users should deal locally and check with the Better Business Bureau for their area. A company or business has an address. If they claim to be located in the user's area, then the user can physically visit the location and/or contact the person face-to-face. By checking the building and company are at the address and/or meeting the person, a great number of scams can be avoided. Scammers don't want to show their faces or allow their targets to have enough real information to hurt them (in case they find out they've been the victim of fraud and report it). When meeting someone for a personal connection, users should meet publicly and keep friends, or family, informed of their activities and whom they meet. Whether for business or pleasure, users who feel uncomfortable with a person they've met offline should trust their instincts to remain safe. Important ways to protect against fraud, other than dealing locally, include not giving out financial information, being aware that money orders and cashier checks can be faked, that wiring money is highly-dangerous, online escrow is almost always a scam, and paying for un-received goods is asking for trouble. Scams are variable, and can change over time as the tactics become apparent, but the most common types of scams are recognizable, as are many aspects of a scam. Most scams involve some of the following: - Inquiry from another country or from far away - A guarantee (only a scammer can say that) - Craigslist does NOT guarantee transactions, certify, or handle payment protection - A cashier's check, money order, or requires the wiring of money - A refusal, or inability, to meet in person (before a transaction) - A shipping or escrow service - A request for financial or personal information Money orders and cashier checks can be faked, but banks may still cash them. This can leave users holding the proverbial "bag" when the fraud is discovered and they will be held responsible. Shipping and escrow services, which may not exist or are not in business with the scammer, can be ways to make users feel safe and prevent them from looking to deeply into the situation. Examples of scams to avoid: - Cashier's checks from distant people - Requests for wire service payment - Offers of money orders in exchange for wiring money - Online escrow services - Partial up-front payment requirements to distant sellers before receiving goods - Jobs acting as a money mideary, such as between a company and its clients Craigslist users should never send money to someone who is offering them money - be it for a purchase or in exchange for some kind of job payment. These schemes often cost the user money, while providing the scammer with free cash - such as from the cashing of a fake check by the user, and wiring of a majority of the sum to the scam artist, whom the bank cannot track after discovering the forgery. In general, it is a bad idea to deal in anything with a third party (whether the user is the third party, another client is, or a person is contacting the user "on behalf" of someone else). People can get their own money from clients, so users should never play into their hands by accepting an owed balance from someone else as a middle- man or woman. Don't work with middle-men, and don't be one. Scams aren't limited to postings, and Craigslist users should carefully read any emails they receive, especially if they appear to be from Craigslist. Users should NEVER give out financial information. This includes social security and bank account numbers, paypal or ebay information, and any number of other private, and potential harmful, information such as credit card info. While users are aware to not give out passwords, other personal information can be used to access those passwords through "password recovery" programs websites provide. Generally, these recovery programs ask for information such as parent or pet names, or favorite books and movies. Users should be highly suspicious of anyone asking for un-needed information, and be guarded with their phone number, address, and contact information. On Craigslist, if a user encounters a possible scam, they have the ability to report the details to Craigslist by emailing the posting ID number (or email) to abuse@craigslist.org. Users can also "flag" postings to notify the site and other users to inappropriate or dangerous postings. To report a fraud or scam to authorities, a number of options are available: - Internet Fraud Complaint Center - www.ic3.gov - FTC - toll free at 877-FTC-HELP or online at www.ftc.gov - Canadian PhoneBusters - 88-495-8501 - Or the local police department by phone on the non-emergency number which can be found in the area phone book All in all, perhaps the most important item to remember when dealing with Craigslist, or any situation, is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Users shouldn't trust people who are to easily willing to trust them, especially where money and long-distance are involved. Precautions are important for safe use of Craigslist, because prevention is easier then recovery. Users should practice playing and working smart, both online and off, to prevent fraud. privacy policy |
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