How Do You Stay Safe Trading on Craigslist?

by: eXtinctBay

I ONLY take phone calls (no e-mails) when selling locally.

This eliminates overseas scammers. And if the phone number doesn't show up on my caller ID, I will not even answer.

If someone was so bold (or stupid) as to try and rob me, I have their phone number where they can be traced.

A thief can hide behind an e-mail address, but it is more difficult to have multiple phone numbers that are untraceable.


Never have had any troubles with local buyers, and do all my business at my home. Will not meet anywhere in public. Ever.

by: SparklyEyes7

Wow!  I've both bought and sold a lot on CL with no problems.

Heavy items I move to my detached garage and meet people there.

Others I meet at neighborhood convenience stores where the clerks all know me..

I bought a computer from a seller and we met in the house so he could plug it in and show all the features to me.

My male friends are concerned for me though.

by: Rexford

If I could not make the sale at a police precinct I would not make the sale. Robberies, assaults, murders, scams....no thank you.

by: FeelingFroggy

You can stay safe on Craigslist the same way you can stay safe on Fleecebay.


BUT ELSEWHERE AS BOTH SITES CATER TO THE THIEVES WITHOUT REMORSE OR CARE.

by: Volvo351

Responding to the thread about the Boca Raton PD advising C/L sellers to conduct biz at their cop shop, I can only say: "Has it come to this? We know have to do biz under the watchful eye of Big Brother?"

by: Al G

My Police Station lobby consists of an outside door opening to a 10x10 painted cinder block room with one small window & the clerk/officer glaring at you. I had to go there to pick up some paperwork. Not exactly people friendly. No thanks.

Actually the CT State Police does encourage exchanges in their lobby.

But, it depends on the item. Anywhere there is CCTV (convenience stores, retail malls, dark underpasses) is usually a good place. The best way is to bring a scowling friend like Mike Ehrmantraut.

by: Randy

I have met up with a few buyers in the past, but it always makes me nervous. I try to let people know where I am going and how long I will be there and try to take someone along with me if they are available. I don't have a conceal carry permit so I take my stun gun with me instead. Our local Police Station just recently set up a safe spot in the parking lot. It's equipped with 24 hour surveillance, though I'm not sure how much this will help considering the response time of our Police Dept.!  

by: iheartjacksparrow

Since everything I have for sale can be easily mailed, there would need to be a really compelling reason for me to meet with someone to do a merchandise/money exchange.

A couple years ago I got an email from a man who was interested in one of my items (mint, in factory sealed packaging) but stated he wanted to "inspect" it and could we meet at a Starbucks. I told him I don't drive so it's very hard for me to meet him at a Starbucks, and I didn't want people to think we were doing a drug deal. I also explained that all the photos were shot by me, were not stock photos, and that the item in the photos was the item he would be receiving so there wasn't much he could inspect since it was still sealed. Then he asks me what my return policy was, so I told him for items new in original packaging there was no returns accepted, and that I wasn't in the rental business. That was the last I heard from him.  

by: The End

BEWARE : Buying laptops can be FATAL to your personal economy :
I bought a laptop from an unknown guy in a parking lot.
Price was right. It is still working just fine today.
Good thing when I got it home I went right to the Network settings. He had it all setup to take control of everything from his location. He could have seen everything I punched in, every place I went online. He could have stolen my identity.
I simply eliminated all remote manner of entry into the computer.
AND : Always hit : Ctrl - Alt- Delete (all 3 at the same time)> Start Task Manager, go to "Processes" tab, and get familiar with everything running on your computer. Google stuff you don't know. Also go to "Programs > Uninstall"  to get rid of any invasive software that may have been planted.
Download SPYBOT Search & Destroy. Run it. It will pull out any spywares. the paid version will also pull out malwares. Malwarebytes will do it for Free.

by: IDKwhoIare

In St. Louis last year we have had uncounted people robbed; one confirmed murder; a few disappearances.  All were related to Craigslist & all were selling or buying cars & all had told family or friends where they were going.  I cannot imagine that anyone would think large money available for the types of items I sell, but I am still cautious.  Many police stations around town have invited FB groups, C/L, Want Ads, etc to exchange in their lobbies.

If I had some transaction involving large amounts of cash, I would do that transaction in a police lobby now a days.

Precautions I have taken in the past when meeting strangers: meet spot is well-lit and has obvious cameras and lots of people; I do not bring my purse; I have pepper spray in a pocket; I wear running shoes: I bring a friend who stands near by but not with. Never had a problem yet - crossing fingers. No one has ever made me nervous enough to signal a friend over or pull the spray out :)

by: ebay refugee camp

meet in a neutral place where other people are, bring someone with you

by: gizmo

Have had no issues. I have cameras , & a toy in plain site. Hmmm , a fair fight, scares most would be away. Everyone I have dealt with on craig s , has been smooth sailing.

by: windsorbear

I usually meet at McDonald's, Burger King, or Hardee's.  If the other person doesn't show up, I can eat at least.

by: The End

With the exception of the laptop deal, every time I go to buy something on Craig's List, the people either bale out with a stupid excuse, or they start running an auction. I don't get it.
So, Craig's List is useless.

by: Volvo351

I'll give you one easily verified fact: dealing on C/L is a Heck of a lot SAFER than using The Hoe and Devil Wingnut as your selling partners! I get CASH in my pocket and that's where it STAYS - no SNAD's, no INR's, no chargebacks!

by: Bill

Volvo351:

AMEN!

by: Paul W

I meet potential buyers inside the facility where my storage lockers are, which has video surveillance, and the exit from which (for a vehicle) requires a gate code.

by: MissyS

I met someone in the lobby of the local library to give him a cable modem he bought from me on CL. Felt pretty safe there.