How to Protect Your Safety While Using Craigslist

Craigslist is a free, online classified ads website. Everything that you could find in a print newspaper's classified ads section is posted on Craigslist, and then some!

Craigslist enjoys tremendous popularity due to its free ad service and diverse array of offerings. However, there have been several national stories of note concerning serious crime generated from users of Craigslist. These crimes include assault, robbery, and murder and it is known that several well-publicized crimes stemmed from individuals participating in the "adults only" section of Craigslist. No matter which section of Craigslist you utilize, it is important for you to be protected when conducting business with strangers.

Whether you are a seller of products, provider of services, or a buyer, caution and discretion is advised when participating in any Craigslist transaction.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet Connection
• Junk Email Address
• Pre-Paid Cellular Phone

1. 
    

   GUARD YOUR IDENTITY:
   
   Guard your identity when posting a Craigslist classified ad. When doing so, you have the option of having a buyer contact you by a site generated email or any another method you specify such as cell phone or personal email address. The site generated email will be forwarded to the personal email address you have provided. This method does provide some security. However, please note that if you choose to respond to an interested party by email, you do not have to reply to them from your personal account. To protect your privacy, it is recommended that you use a junk email account to reply from that you have set up for just such purposes. You are also able to provide a phone number in the text of your ad. The pro of doing that is you can quickly have direct contact with people. The con is that you have exposed personal information to the masses. Perhaps you can utilize a pre-paid cell phone to place and receive calls? Choose a method of contact which provides you with the greatest sense of security.

2. 
    

   SCREEN INTERESTED PARTIES:
   
   Whether you have an item to sell or a service to provide, screen all people who respond to your ad. Determine if a person is genuinely interested in your ad or if you sense that they want to drag out the communication without making a commitment. You may have started out by screening parties through email, but eventually a telephone connection is usually required to negotiate and make final arrangements. If a person makes you feel uncomfortable, immediately discontinue all communication! Document your contact with the offending person in case it is needed for future reference. Trust your instincts . . . Your safety is paramount. Don't take chances!

3. 
    

   SECURE A SAFE LOCATION:
   
   Once you have solidified your deal, you must make the exchange. If selling a product, plan to meet the buyer in a open, well-travelled, public place. Preferably meet during daylight hours and if you can, take someone with you. Whatever you do, always alert a friend or family member to your plans. If utilizing a service, do your due diligence. Do an internet search of the business or provider of services. Is it or are they reputable? Proceed accordingly as determined by your research.

4. 
    

   CONDUCT TRANSACTION:
   
   The final step of protecting yourself when you use Craigslist is to conduct the transaction. Details such as price, condition of items, and specifications of services to be provided should be agreed upon prior to making an exchange. Both parties should be satisfied with the outcome. Again, If you feel uncomfortable with a situation, remove yourself from the situation and discontinue communication with the other party.

Tips & Warnings

• The instructions provided apply to sellers as well as buyers using www.Craigslist.org.
• A junk email account is an account that you have set up to receive email that you do not want to receive in your primary email account. MSN and Yahoo are two popular providers of free email accounts.
• Use extreme caution if participating in the "adults only" section of Craigslist!

[yessharon]

on 5/25/2009 Good tips on keeping safe on Craig's List. It is a wonderful place to buy and sell things.

[cygnetbrown]

on 4/27/2009 Timely article on protecting yourself on Craig's list. Well written