Craigslist – Scambook Blog (2024)

FAQs

What is a Craigslist secret code? ›

Craigslist verification code scams

Craigslist text scams can start with the other party saying they want to confirm you aren't a scammer. Don't give out any codes sent to your phone, especially if it says it's for verifying your identity. The code is for a Google Voice account the scammer set up using your number.

Craigslist is a legitimate website, and most Craigslist posts are legitimate and trustworthy as well. However, just like any other online platform, it can be used by scammers. Some people may post fraudulent listings only pretending to sell goods or services, so take precautions to ensure your safety.

Following this, they press you to share a one-time, six-digit code sent to your cell phone number. This verification code, they claim, is to ensure that this isn't a fake online listing. However, this Google Voice verification code scam can allow bad actors to use your phone number to conceal their identity.

If a seller encourages you to send a down payment or any form of money before receiving your item, this is a strong indication that they are trying to scam buyers. Some Craigslist scammers may ask you to send money to a foreign address because they “have suddenly been stationed overseas,” or something similar.

Avoid adding any personal information in the posting, including your name, real phone number or real email address. Always use the generated email address on your Craigslist posts.

What are the most common signs of a rental scam? Rental scams often have listings with prices that seem too good to be true. They might pressure you to make quick decisions, ask for rent or deposit without a signed lease, or avoid meeting in person.

If scammers have access to your phone number, they could potentially use it to hack into your online accounts — including your email, social media, and even your bank account.

By spoofing your number, they can contact others and appear to be you. Hack into your online accounts. Your phone number may be the information necessary to gain access to your online accounts. Scammers may try to access different accounts using your phone number as a username or for two-factor authentication.

How do I know if he's a scammer? ›

If you Google their name and don't find much, you could be dealing with a scammer. Their social media accounts look suspicious. Look for anything that feels off, such as a low friend count, no recent posts, or only the same photos as on the dating site. They may appear to have an overwhelming intensity.

A code is a set of letters, numbers, symbols, etc., that is used to secretly send messages to someone. A cipher is a method of transforming a text in order to conceal its meaning. A key phrase lets the sender tell the recipient what to use to decode a message. A key object is a physical item used to decrypt a code.

One can encode a message letter by letter, exchanging each letter with another symbol (these are substitution ciphers), or one can encode the whole message by scrambling up the order of the letters in the message (transposition ciphers).

It is not a proof of identity, nor a confirmation of anything. If someone asks you to send them a code, or tell them a code over the phone, it is a red flag that they are trying to scam you. Google, Craigslist, Facebook or any other legitimate platform will never ask you for your verification code.

“Ghosted” listings are listings that appear to have been successfully posted to Craigslist without errors, and can even be found under your account page and accessed directly by its posting ID, but cannot be found by browsing the site or searching for them.