craiglist

Stay safe when buying or selling online. Craigslist is all about local, person‑to‑person deals. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Here are a few simple rules to help you avoid common scams.

🔒 General Safety Tips

• Deal locally, face‑to‑face – meet in a public place (café, bank, police station lobby).
• Never send money – revolut.me, Paypal, or any other wire service. Scammers often insist on this.
• Cash is king – For smaller items, use cash. For larger amounts, consider a check or send after reciept, but only after meeting the seller.
• Don’t share personal info – never give out your bank details, social insurance number, or copies of ID.
• Check the item before paying – test electronics, inspect vehicles, and read all documents.
• Trust your instincts – if something feels off, walk away.

⚠️ Common Scams to Watch For

• Fake payment services – buyer sends a fake PayPal email saying money is “on hold” until you ship.
• Overpayment / cashier’s check scam – buyer sends a cheque for too much, asks you to wire the difference. The cheque later bounces.
• “Guarantee” or “escrow” sites – scammer wants to use a fake third‑party site. Real escrow is rarely used for classifieds.
• Rental scams – someone “out of the country” wants a deposit before you’ve seen the flat. Always view the property first.
• Fake classifieds – items priced far below market value to lure you into wiring money.

📞 If You’ve Been Scammed

Stop all communication. Contact your bank immediately if you shared financial details. Report the incident to Action Fraud (UK) and to Craigslist by using the “flag” link on the posting. You can also forward scam emails to spam@craigslist.org.

Remember: Craigslist does not get involved in transactions, does not offer buyer protection, and never guarantees deals. Keep everything local and in person.