14 common Craigslist scams and how to avoid them

Craigslist started in 1995 as a simple community bulletin board, created to help people connect locally to buy, sell, and trade. It’s still widely used for all sorts of legitimate transactions, but, like any other online marketplace, it also hosts scammers hoping to trick unsuspecting users.

It’s quick, easy, and free to create an account and post listings, which means there’s little to stop scammers from operating on Craigslist. And the development of new AI scam tactics like instantly generating fake product images or error-free descriptions means scammers can deploy tricky schemes at scale.

In this guide, we’ll show you how common Craigslist scams work, what red flags to watch out for, and how to protect yourself against the risks.

1. Rental scams

Rental scams on Craigslist involve scammers listing a property for rent to trick you into inquiring, after which they’ll try to steal your money or sensitive information. Rental scammers may create listings for real properties they don’t own, copying and reposting legitimate listings from websites like Zillow or Realtor.com. Alternatively, they might make up completely fake properties.

These listings will typically be attractive rentals at below-market prices, with the aim being to attract attention quickly. When someone reaches out and asks to view the property, the scammer will claim they can’t meet in person.

Instead, they’ll push the victim to “secure” the property by sending a deposit, first month’s rent, or personal details before a viewing. Some scammers may even send fake rental application forms or forged leases to make the listing feel real.

In one Craigslist rental scam case, a Florida mother of four wired $2,800 to a fake landlord who even left her the keys to the home. Days later, she was evicted by the real property owner.

Signs to look out for:

• The property owner won’t let you see the property.
• They offer a “lease-free” option.
• The price is much lower than it should be.
• The owner asks for payment through a wire transfer or an app like Cash App.

What to do if you suspect this scam:

• Refuse to send money or personal information before seeing the property.
• Research property management companies in your area.
• Report scams to Craigslist, the police, your state’s attorney general, and the FTC.

2. Cashier’s check scams

Cashier’s check scams involve fraudulent buyers offering to pay for a product you’re selling on Craigslist with a fake cashier’s check. They’ll pressure you to ship the item before the check clears — because it never will. Once the bank rejects the check as fake, the scammer has your item, and you’re left with nothing.

Fake check payments aren’t just a problem on Craigslist — they’re used in all sorts of shopping scams. And these fraudulent checks can look very convincing, exemplified in a case reported on Reddit where a scammer’s target couldn’t confirm the check was fake even after receiving it.

To avoid these scams on Craigslist, only ship items you’ve sold after the check you’re paid with has fully cleared, or don’t accept check payments at all. Real buyers won’t pressure you, so if they get pushy or back out of the sale, it probably means that they were trying to commit check fraud.

Signs to look out for:

• The buyer says they are in a different area and will send a check.
• The buyer asks you to ship the item before you receive payment.

What to do if you suspect this scam:

• Don’t send anything before payment is received and cleared.
• Report the scammer to Craigslist and the authorities.

3. Car sales scams

Craigslist car scams target both buyers and sellers involved in transactions for vehicles, with common tactics including manipulating payments, forging documents, and using fake listings to create a sense of urgency.

Scam buyers may use counterfeit cashier’s checks, send fake payment confirmations, or even steal a vehicle during a test drive.

Scam sellers might create fake car listings that have unrealistically low prices, conceal major damage in listing photos, or provide false vehicle history reports to make the deal appear legitimate.

Some scammers may even try to sell you a stolen car. This recently occurred in Arizona, where two men were arrested for selling stolen rental cars they’d taken from the Turo app and listed on Craigslist.

Signs to look out for:

• The seller doesn’t want to meet in person.
• You find the same pictures on multiple listings.
• The seller is acting as a middleman.
• The price is too good to be true.

What to do if you suspect this scam:

• Don’t send money without seeing and driving the car.
• Don’t sign the title to a vehicle until a buyer’s payment clears.
• Report scams to Craigslist and the authorities.

4. Google Voice scams

Google Voice scams start when a scammer pretends to be interested in your Craigslist listing and asks to “verify if you’re real” by sending a six-digit code to your phone. They’ll ask you to share that code, but if you do, you’ll only be helping them create a Google Voice account linked to your phone number.

Once they have control of that account, scammers can impersonate you in VoIP calls to contact other victims and run more scams, or use your phone number in identity theft like account takeover attacks.

Signs to look out for:

• They insist on sending you a verification code before moving forward.
• You receive a six-digit Google Voice or similar code via text or email unexpectedly.
• The person claims it’s just to “prove you’re not a scammer.”
• They avoid phone calls or video chats and prefer texting only.

What to do if you suspect this scam:

• Stop responding to the scammer immediately and block their number.
• If you already gave out the code, reclaim your Google Voice account at voice.google.com using your real number.
• Consider updating your passwords and enabling two-factor authentication on your accounts for extra security.

5. Ticket scams

Craigslist ticket scams involve scammers selling fake or nonexistent tickets to a game, concert, or event, capitalising on Craigslist’s large user base as a fast and easy way to find an interested buyer.

These scams may be more common during high-profile tours with a lot of demand. A Chicago resident, for example, reported to the BBB that they lost $350 after paying for tickets to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour through a Craigslist seller who disappeared after receiving payment.

These scams are particularly dangerous on platforms like Craigslist, which has no built-in payment processing, because victims won’t necessarily benefit from a payment protection policy if they’re tricked into buying fakes.

Signs to look out for:

• Tickets are for sold-out events.
• The ticket price is too low.
• The same ad is listed on multiple city or state Craigslist sites.
• The seller is very pushy about you buying the tickets.
• The seller asks you to pay using a wire transfer or cryptocurrency.

What to do if you suspect this scam:

• Request that the seller use an authorized ticket reselling platform.
• Ask for photos of the tickets.
• Ask for the barcode number to verify authenticity with the issuer.
• Ask the seller to meet in person.
• Report the seller to Craigslist and the authorities.

6. Pet scams

In a typical Craigslist pet scam, a scammer lists an animal for sale or adoption, often claiming to be a breeder or someone who needs to rehome a pet. But if you send payment for the animal or to cover “shipping fees,” the pet will never arrive and the seller will disappear.

Not all scam Craigslist pet listings are fake, though. Some listings may be real but unethical, with the pets for sale coming from illegal puppy mills or having been stolen from their original owners.

And, separately to the existence or legality of the pets for sale, remember that Craigslist officially bans the sale of companion animals in general. Many sellers still list them under terms like “rehoming” to get around the rules, but it’s advisable to avoid looking for a pet on Craigslist altogether. Instead, consider adopting an animal from a rescue shelter or responsible breeder.

Signs to look out for:

• The seller won’t let you meet the animal in person.
• The seller is asking too little for the animal.
• The same ad is on multiple platforms or Craigslist areas.
• There are no pictures, or the pictures are unclear.

What to do if you suspect this scam:

• Ask to meet the animal before you pay.
• Only pay in person.
• Do a reverse image search.
• Report the seller to Craigslist and the authorities.

7. Overpayment scams

An overpayment scam won’t necessarily feel like a scam at first. It begins when a buyer contacts you saying they can send you money right away for whatever you’re selling, only they’ll send more than you asked for. They’ll then quickly “realize” their mistake and ask you to refund the extra.

They’ll typically request that you refund the amount they overpaid using an instant method, like a digital payment or wire transfer. But once you return their money, they’ll cancel the original payment they made, or you’ll discover that the payment has bounced.

Signs to look out for:

• Someone overpays you when buying something.
• They ask you to return the extra right away.
• They request a refund in a different form from the original payment.

What to do if you suspect this scam:

• Wait for the full overpayment amount to clear your bank account before sending the item and refunding any overpayment.
• If they have your item and the payment was fraudulent, report the buyer to Craigslist and the authorities.

8. Guaranteed Seller scams

As a way of getting you to lower your guard, scam sellers on Craigslist may claim that they have “Guaranteed Seller” status. They may even have some high-quality images on their listing or send you an email that looks like it came directly from Craigslist.

But Craigslist offers no such certifications or guarantees to anyone. Once they convince you they are verified, the scammer usually pushes you to pay upfront for an item that doesn’t exist or will never be shipped. The listing is fake, and the “guarantee” is only there to make the scam feel legitimate.

Signs to look out for:

• “Trust” badges on listings and emailed “proof” of guaranteed status from Craigslist.

What to do if you suspect this scam:

• Don’t buy anything from these listings.
• Don’t click on links in the listings or emails the seller sends.
• Report the seller to Craigslist.

9. Travel scams

Craigslist travel scams involve sellers creating listings for airline tickets, vacation packages, or travel deals that don’t actually exist. The scammer usually advertises prices that are far cheaper than anything you’d find on a legitimate travel site, hoping you’ll rush to buy them before noticing the red flags.

These scams also extend to short-term vacation rentals. Scammers may copy legitimate listings from platforms like Airbnb and offer a lower rate if you pay directly, bypassing the official site. The listing may look real, with matching photos and property details, but paying outside the platform means you have no protection and risk losing your money.

While some people are suspicious over whether sites like booking.com are safe, they tend to offer many more protections than Craigslist, where scams are much more dangerous due to the peer-to-peer nature of the website and the lack of on-site payment processing.

Signs to look out for:

• Sellers offer trips at a much lower price than normal.
• Scammers demand an upfront deposit.
• A travel company’s website looks cheap and has spelling errors or missing contact information.

What to do if you suspect this scam:

• Don’t buy your tickets from any source that requires you to use a wire transfer, cash, or cryptocurrency.
• Report the seller to Craigslist and the authorities.

10. Escrow scams

Craigslist escrow scams happen when a buyer or seller insists on using an “escrow company” to handle the payment, claiming it’s safer for both parties. But the reality is that these scammers set up fake escrow companies or accounts to steal your money or build fake sites designed to capture your personal information.

In one Reddit post, an almost-buyer found a car on Craigslist that looked local and was priced too good to be true. After contacting the seller, they were told the car and paperwork were with AJS Auto Transportation, which offered a “5-day escrow inspection period.” The buyer almost sent payment before realizing the escrow service didn’t exist.

Signs to look out for:

• A buyer or seller says they only deal with a specific escrow company.
• They send you a direct link to an escrow company.

What to do if you suspect this scam:

• Research the proposed escrow company (and alternatives).
• Suggest a different, legitimate company.
• Report the seller to Craigslist if they are linking to fake companies.

11. Employment scams

Craigslist employment scams happen when scammers post fake job listings to steal your money or personal information. They often pose as real companies, offering easy work-from-home jobs or high pay with minimal effort.

After you apply, they may send a fake check for supplies (you have to buy from their vendor, and once you do, the check bounces), or ask for sensitive details like your bank account or Social Security number. Some might even ask you to pay an amount upfront to get the job — a huge red flag.

A user on the Craigslist subreddit reported seeing repeated Craigslist posts in New York offering up to $2,000 a week for customer service and admin jobs. The listings all linked to a fake company page showing a founder named Jacob and a calendar to book an interview. It looked professional, but in reality, it was a phishing setup.

Signs to look out for:

• The job listing is copied from another site with the company name changed.
• There’s no contact information, no location, or few concrete job details.
• The listing is poorly written or contradictory.
• The listing is for a government job.
• Salary information is much higher than for comparable jobs.

What to do if you suspect this scam:

• Visit the company’s site directly to verify job openings.
• Don’t click on links in the listing or communications with people on Craigslist.
• Report scammers to Craigslist.

12. Overseas seller scams

If you find something on Craigslist at an unbelievably good price, but the listing says that the seller is living overseas, it’s more than likely an overseas seller scam. The seller might claim they need to sell quickly to avoid storage unit fees, hence the low price. But they’ll almost always insist you can’t see the item in person and that you must send payment by wire transfer or another untraceable method.

Once you send the payment, the scammer may provide fake tracking information, stall with excuses, or disappear entirely. Even if they communicate consistently at first, there is no way to verify the item’s existence or to recover your money if something goes wrong. These scams rely on creating a sense of urgency to pressure you into sending funds before realizing there’s an issue.

Signs to look out for:

• The seller says they are overseas.
• The seller doesn’t let you see an item before paying.
• They are selling something for much less than it’s worth.
• They ask for payment using a wire transfer.

What to do if you suspect this scam:

• Don’t buy the item.
• Report the seller to Craigslist and the authorities.

13. Middleman scams

In a middleman scam, a seller on Craigslist will have something listed for sale, but once you start talking with them, they reveal that they’re selling it on behalf of someone else. Not only could it mean that this person is selling stolen property, but it could also mean that they want to accept your payment and then send you somewhere to pick up an item, only to find out there was never anything for sale.

There are also “middleman buyers” who use free or cheap listings to scam others. For example, a Reddit user offering a free sofa on Craigslist explained how they were contacted by someone who said they’d be late for pickup. Then, they claimed they’d found “someone else” to pick it up and would charge them a finder’s fee via Zelle.

Signs to look out for:

• The seller says that an item isn’t theirs.
• They request payment using a method like a wire transfer that is difficult to dispute.
• The seller won’t let you see what you’re buying before you send money.

What to do if you suspect this scam:

• Don’t send them money.
• Report this kind of wire transfer scam to Craigslist and the authorities (especially if you paid and didn’t receive what you bought).

14. Account takeover scams

In an account takeover scam, a fraudster contacts you pretending to be from Craigslist, claiming there’s an issue with your account or listing. They may say your account has been flagged, needs verification, or requires a “security update,” and then ask you to provide your login credentials.

But if you give the scammer your username and password, they can take over your account to post fake listings, contact buyers or sellers, and potentially steal money or personal information. Always verify that any messages claiming to be from Craigslist are legitimate through an official channel, and never share your login details.

Signs to look out for:

• Someone reaches out asking for your login credentials. Legitimate Craigslist staff will never ask you for this information.
• You receive a message that pressures you to act quickly or claim your account will be suspended, and these are often scams.
• You receive links or attachments in emails claiming to “verify” your account can lead to phishing sites.

What to do if you suspect this scam:

• Do not respond to the email.
• Change your Craigslist password immediately if you think your account may be compromised.

How to spot a Craigslist scam

Learning to spot common warning signs of scams on Craigslist, like suspiciously low prices or odd requests made with urgency, can help you avoid falling for them, in turn helping to protect your money and personal information. If you notice any of these red flags, it’s best to walk away immediately — no deal is worth the risk:

• Very low prices: If a product is listed for a price far below its actual market value, the seller is likely trying to lure you in with a “deal,” hoping you’ll act before you realize it’s a scam.
• Urgent language: Scammers create false urgency — often using messaging like “first come, first served” or “must sell today” — to pressure you into paying quickly without thinking.
• Unusual payment requests: Requests for payment via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards are major red flags. These payment types are hard to trace or recover, giving you limited recourse options.
• Refusal to meet in person: Legitimate local sellers are usually happy to meet. If they claim to be out of town, overseas, or insist on shipping instead, it could be a sign that you’re being scammed.
• Poor spelling or grammar: Sloppy writing, odd phrasing, or generic responses may indicate that a scammer is sending messages en masse or using translation software. However, this warning sign is less reliable in the age of AI.
• Inconsistent details: Watch for mismatched names, area codes, or locations in messages, emails, or payment accounts. These small discrepancies often reveal a scammer.
• Too-good-to-be-true stories: Emotional appeals (like a seller claiming they’re being forced to move overseas, being deployed, or urgently rehoming a pet) are common tactics to gain trust and sympathy.
• Requests for sensitive information: There’s no reason a seller would need login credentials, account verification codes, Social Security numbers, or other personal details. Asking for this information is a major red flag.

If any of these signs pop up, trust your gut. A real deal will never require you to ignore basic online safety. You can also check out some examples of Craigslist scams to get a better idea of what they look like.

Tips to avoid scams on Craigslist

Safer online shopping is possible using Craigslist as long as you know what to look for. Here are some tips you can use to reduce the risk that you’re scammed as a buyer or seller, including some of Craigslist’s own recommendations for avoiding scams:

• Meet in person: Always inspect an item you’re planning on buying in-person and complete the exchange face-to-face in a safe, public place.
• Use secure payments: Stick to cash payments made in-person or payments made on trusted platforms with buyer protection. Never wire money or use gift cards.
• Verify the product or service: If you’re not 100% sure about the legitimacy of a listing, ask for extra photos or proof of authenticity. And don’t hesitate to walk away if the seller refuses to let you see the item before buying.
• Protect personal info: Never share personally identifiable information like your address, banking details, or Social Security number with anyone on Craigslist.
• Use Craigslist’s email relay: Keep your real email address and phone number private by communicating only through Craigslist’s anonymous relay system.
• Watch for red flags: Unrealistic prices, urgent pressure, or vague communication often signal a scam, so trust your instincts.
• Report scammers: Help keep the platform safe by reporting Craigslist scams or users directly through the site or to the FTC.

What to do if you’re scammed on Craigslist

If you realize you’ve been scammed on Craigslist, your first step is to stop all contact with the scammer. Then take action to protect any potentially compromised accounts and report the scam to Craigslist and any relevant law enforcement or federal agencies.

Here’s a step-by-step guide covering what to do if you encounter a scammer on Craigslist:

1. Stop contact: Immediately cease all communication with the scammer and don’t respond to any new messages.
2. Document everything: Save any relevant emails, messages, payment receipts, or screenshots which might come in useful as evidence.
3. Contact your bank or credit card company: If you gave away any financial data or made a payment to a scammer, alert your bank or credit card issuer immediately so you can dispute the charge or freeze your account.
4. Secure your accounts: If you revealed any of your login credentials, whether for Craigslist or another platform, change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication to help prevent account takeover attacks.
5. Consider a credit freeze: If you have shared personal data such as Social Security numbers, bank info, or other sensitive information, request a credit freeze or fraud alert with the credit bureaus to help prevent credit fraud.
6. Report to Craigslist: Craigslist advises that you flag postings or emails that you suspect are part of scams to inform them. You can also submit details through Craigslist’s contact form.
7. Notify local police: File a report with your local police department if money changed hands or you met the scammer in person.
8. File with the FTC: Submit a complaint at reportfraud.ftc.gov if financial or personal information was exposed. Your report will help the Federal Trade Commission identify scams in the future and you’ll receive recovery guidance.

Reporting Craigslist scams isn’t just about recovering your own losses. It’s about helping stop the cycle of fraud for others, too. So always take action. It could prevent others from falling for the same scammer or fake listing.

Help protect your information and identity online

Buying and selling safely is easier when you know what risks to be aware of. For additional protection against online scams, fraud, and identity theft, join Lifelock. It includes scam support features that can help you identify scams in the wild, plus reimbursement coverage for up to $5,000 in eligible scam-related losses. And, if a scam ever turns into identity theft, you’ll get expert restoration support and ongoing threat monitoring.

FAQs

Is Craigslist safe?

Craigslist is a legitimate platform, but safety depends on how carefully you use it. Scammers often target careless users since Craigslist doesn’t verify identities. To stay safe, deal locally and in person, meet in public places, and use cash for transactions.

Can you get your money back from a Craigslist overpayment scam?

Unfortunately, it’s very hard to get your money back from a Craigslist overpayment scam. Scammers often use fake checks or money orders that bounce after you’ve sent them the “extra” money. This also means you end up being responsible for the full amount, even what you already paid.

How do scammers use verification codes on Craigslist?

Scammers use verification codes to trick you into giving them control of your phone number. They’ll say it’s to “prove you’re real,” but the code actually links your number to a Google Voice or similar account they control. Once they have it, they can use your number to scam others.

What can a Craigslist scammer do with my phone number?

If a Craigslist scammer has your phone number and gets you to verify a code sent to that number, they can use it to open a Google Voice account. With that account, they can continue running scams using your phone number.

Is it safe to give my address on Craigslist?

It’s probably not a good idea. Sharing personal information, even something as simple as an address or phone number, could provide a scammer with a piece of information they need to steal your identity. Whether you’re selling something on Craigslist or another resale platform like Facebook Marketplace, try to meet in a safe, public place.

Is Zelle safe for Craigslist?

Not necessarily. Zelle makes sending payments fast, but you may not be refunded if you if you’re scammed on Zelle while trying to buy something on Craigslist.