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

Never wire money in advance.

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.

Trust your instincts when vetting buyers.

Requests to deposit a cashier's check are scams.

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Use a secure form of payment.

Home and apartment rental scams.

Plan details in advance.

Stay safe when a buyer comes to your house.

Meet in public and bring a friend.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scammers often use unbelievably low prices as bait.

Evaluate listings carefully before agreeing to meet.

This can help you avoid falling victim to craigslist scams.

9 essential tips to avoid craigslist scams.

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

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

Vague or overly generic descriptions:

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

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

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Requests to pay with gift cards are scams.

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

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.

Always use a proxy email address or phone number.

Requests to wire money are scams.