Craigslist Home Page
How to Log Into Craigslist – Azcentral
Some online scammers create fake Craigslist login pages that do nothing but steal account information from anybody that fills up the fake log in form. These login pages resemble the original Craigslist website, so it is easy to get fooled if you do not look at your browser’s address bar. If you use your Craigslist account for business purposes, you should prevent others from potentially using your business’s name to post fraudulent ads by always accessing the Craigslist login page directly from the main Craigslist site. Step 1Visit the Craigslist homepage (see link in Resources). Step 2Click the “my account” link to proceed to the login page. Step 3Enter the email address and password associated with your Craigslist account. Click the “Log In” button to see your Craiglist account. References Resources Tips Click the “forgot password? ” link on the Craigslist login page if you do not remember your password. From there, you can enter your email address so Craigslist can email you a unique link that lets you set a new password for your account. Writer Bio John Ruiz began his writing career in 2008 as a freelancer writing for eHow and various technology, software and hardware blogs. He has been designing websites since 2002. Ruiz earned a Bachelor of Science in information technology and web design from AMA Computer University.
The Good, the Bad, the Ugly of Craigslist – GetKidsInternetSafe
Craigslist is the website where Internet users can buy and sell anything. In just a few clicks of the mouse, one can browse advertisements for housing, items for sale, jobs, information forums, help for services, gigs, community events, and even people. Craigslist can be a highly useful tool, but it also has a dark side. I pulled together accounts from reputable publications to inform GKIS readers about Craigslist benefits and its risks. Then I offered some quick tips for staying safe when using Craigslist.
From Hobby to Fortune
In 1995, Craig Newmark started an email program as a hobby. This program allowed him to easily communicate social events to other San Francisco Internet developers. Word of the program grew quickly, and users began posting emails for other purposes like job searching. Due to popular demand, Craig quickly expanded the features of the program, and in only a year, the website, Craigslist, was created.
The website continued to rapidly expand, and in 1999 Craig’s hobby became a full-time job. In 2010, Craig’s net worth was estimated at a staggering 400 million dollars! His website is now available in over seventy countries and is visited over 20 billion times a month (Terynn, 2013).
So Easy, Your Child Can Do It
Craigslist is famously known as “the public online marketplace. ” The website’s user-friendly system and free cost to advertise, draws in 55 million users every month, in the US alone (Usman, 2014). It’s now commonly used by the average American and is a staple for amateur buying and selling.
To access Craigslist, you do not need a user name, personal information, or a credit card. You are free to browse all the content on the website anonymously. If you see an advertisement you like, simply click on the ad, and you will be taken to a page with more detail of the item and a link to the owner.
Creating an ad on craigslist is also easy. Select a category you wish to make an ad for (items for sale, personals, jobs etc. ). Then add a title for your ad, a description of what you are selling, and any personal information for those to reach you (email, phone number, social media, or a home address). Once you have posted the advertisement it is viewable to everybody on the site.
My Experience with Craigslist
I love using Craigslist. I have bought and sold many items using the site, and each transaction has gone smoothly. I have had many welcoming encounters, and I have even become friends with a few people I have met. The website is intuitive and easy to manage, and the free advertisement it provides is amazing. However, like with so many Internet sites, people have found ways to use Craigslist for unanticipated, illegal purposes.
The Dark Side: Scammers, Stalkers, and Setups
Scammers use Craigslist to steal money from unsuspecting victims by placing fraudulent advertisements with incredible deals. Buyers are asked to send money orders or checks online, and after making payment, never receive their item. Scammers also take advantage of those selling items. They do this by sending bad money orders or checks that bounce (Paul, 2013).
In Ohio a man tried to use Craigslist to sell his car. He was thrilled when a man responded to his advertisement wanting to purchase his vehicle. The man claimed to be from South Carolina but was unable to come and pick up the car in person. He asked if the car could be shipped to him, and he would send a check to cover the cost of shipping and the vehicle. The Ohio man agreed, and his customer sent $5, 450. After receiving the money, he paid for the car to be shipped and told the man from South Carolina it was on its way. The next day he checked his bank account, and the funds he had received were no longer good. He tried to contact the man but was unable to and lost $2500 dollars due to the shipping charges (John, 2016).
Stalkers are also using Craigslist to set-up and harass victims. They do this by posting advertisements that may include the victim’s phone number, address, and even photos. The stalker can even pose as the victim through email and send messages to those who respond to the ad. Victims are then targeted by the harassment of unknown strangers.
A woman from Maryland, was horrified when she founds ads posted on craigslist that read, “Rape me and my daughters. ” The ad included her address and photos of her and her daughters. She contacted police, and police found that her ex-husband was responsible for the ads (Justin, 2013).
A bizarre Craigslist story involved a soon-to-be-married couple and an ex-girlfriend (Kelley, 2017). The soon-to-be wife claimed that the ex-girlfriend created a Craigslist advertisement posing as her. In the ad people were asked to come to her house and forcibly rape her. The soon-to-be wife also called the police, claiming that a man had forcibly entered her garage and attempted to rape her. When police arrived, the woman had red marks around her neck and a ripped shirt. Police never found a suspect. However, investigators examined the Internet history of both women. They discovered that the soon-to-be wife had created the advertisement to frame the ex-girlfriend!
Robbery and Sexual Assault
Robberies and assaults are unfortunately quite common on Craigslist. Criminals know that victims are bringing valuable items to meetings and use this knowledge to plan locations where they can easily rob their targets. They also take advantage of trusting and unaccompanied victims.
In Seattle, a woman used the services section of Craigslist. She posted an advertisement asking for someone to fix her broken microwave. A man responded to her ad. When he arrived at her house, she was home alone. He sexually assaulted her and fled the premises (Levi, 2008).
Another story comes from a man who used the personals section of Craigslist. This is a highly controversial section of Craigslist due to its use for soliciting sexual acts. It is illegal to post advertisements soliciting sex on the website, and many are taken down. However, the use of code words has allowed many ads to go undetected (Ed, 2017). In this story the man arrived at an address he had received from the female he had been talking to online. He entered the house and was assaulted and robbed by two men (Levi, 2008).
Child Trafficking and Slavery
Criminals are using Craigslist to make victims sex slaves. One way they do this is by placing advertisements in the “rooms for rent” category. The ads have incredible deals which lure in unsuspecting victims. A woman from Wisconsin responded to an ad that offered free rent for cooking and cleaning. The apartment was in Brooklyn, and when the woman arrived, the man picked her up at the airport. Once at the apartment, the man handcuffed the woman to his radiator and forced her to be his sex slave. After eight days of enslavement she was released. Authorities were contacted and the man was arrested (Irin, 2011).
Children has also been victimized using Craigslist. A father from Texas was arrested and convicted for committing child prostitution and child trafficking. This creep placed ads on Craigslist offering to “come play with daddy’s little girl”. He also tried selling his daughter for one-thousand-dollars (Jeff, 2015).
How to be Craigslist Safe
If the buyer or seller won’t give you their name or phone number or the offer is too good to be true. Abort mission.
Deal with only local people and vet their authenticity by asking for their name and social media handles. Google them to investigate their digital to the seller on the phone. Ask questions about the item to get a feel for the situation. How long have you had it? Are you the original buyer? Why are you selling it? If their information about the item is sketchy, so are they.
Never give personal information about yourself beyond your name and phone number. If they say they need information for a credit check, make sure the situation is legitimate before you agree to anything.
Only meet during daylight and have a buddy with you whether you’re buying or selling. A public meeting place is best.
Make sure your photos don’t contain meta data, like geotagged location of the photo (where predators can track your advertised merchandise to your home).
Cash only. Do not wire money or accept a check, cashier’s check, or money order. It is a common scam to ask you to cash a check that’s made out for more money than you are asking for.
Trust your gut. If the situation doesn’t feel right, end the transaction.
Thank you to CSUCI Intern, Dylan Smithson for informing parents of the potential dangers on Craigslist. The next time you visit the website, use the Craigslist safe tips. Don’t become a craigslist horror story. If you enjoyed reading this article, feel free to share with friends and family, and give us a like on our GetKidsInternetSafe Facebook page.
I’m the mom psychologist who will help you GetKidsInternetSafe.
Onward to More Awesome Parenting,
Tracy S. Bennett, Ph. D.
Mom, Clinical Psychologist, CSUCI Adjunct Faculty
Work Cited
Ed S. (2017) Craigslist Code Words: Do you Know What They Really Mean?
Irin C. (2011) The Disturbing Story of the Craigslist “Sex Slave”
Jeff E. (2015) Shocking Details of Alleged Child Prostitution Case Make Court Onlookers Gasp
John M. (2016) Hamilton man loses $2, 500 to Craigslist Scam
Justin J. (2013) Stalkers use online ads as weapons against victims
Kelley P. (2017) Wife thought to be victim in “rape fantasy” Craigslist case now charged with framing husbands ex-girlfriend
Levi P. (2008) Free and Friendly Craigslist has its dark side
Paul M. (2013) 8 Vile Craigslist Scams to Watch Out For
Usman A. (2014) Top 10 Countries using Craigslist 2014
Top 10 Countries using Craigslist 2014
Terynn B. (2013) Who is Craig From Craigslist
Who is Craig From Craigslist?
Photos Credits
Shady Characters Jason Rogers, CC BY 2. 0
The dark sides Georgie Pauwels, CC BY 2. 0
Come to the Dark Side Holley and Chris Melton, CC BY 2. 0
Craig’s List Clone for Do It With Drupal Jeff Robbins, CC BY 2. 0
Reese, Hacker. Donnie Ray Jones, CC BY 2. 0
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How to Post an Ad on Craigslist – Money | HowStuffWorks
Craigslist is like the Mom and Pop shop of the internet. It may not look like much, but you’ll be amazed at the things you can find. Craigslist is an internationally popular website used for posting jobs, items for sale, real estate, services and personal ads. Take advantage of this free service by creating your own advertisement. Read the steps listed below and learn how to post an ad on the URL into your on the link, “create a posting, ” that is located on the upper left hand side of the the location that best fits your on the type of post you want to place. Choices include jobs, housing, items for sale, services and personals. Depending on what you choose, you will either be taken to a list of options that apply to your post or a list of specified the option that best applies to your post or the category that best describes your in the applicable fields when you arrive at the window to describe your post. Keep your posting title concise and clear. Ensure that all the fields are fully filled the “continue” on the map to pinpoint your location or type in your exact location – street, cross street, city and postal code – and click the “find” any images that pertain to your the mock ad for incorrect or confusing information and spelling mistakes. If you want to edit the ad, click on the “edit post” button. It will take you back to the previous screen. You can also edit the location and images. If you’re pleased, click the “publish” your email. Craigslist will send you an email that will enable you to publish, edit or delete your posting. The link expires in 30 you’ve clicked the link, it’s time to set up your account. You can either type in a password or go without a the terms of use. If you consent to all the terms, click on the “accept” button. If you don’t consent, click on the “decline” have now posted your ad on You can post an ad on Craigslist without setting up an account, but setting up one will allow you to be able to edit, delete or post more easily. Without that step, if you do need to make changes, you’ll need to use the link that was originally sent to your to Post Using the Craigslist AppDownload the Craigslist mobile app from the Apple Store or Google you install and open the app, tap the “get started” can either share your location or tap “not now. ” You can type in a ZIP/postal code that best fits your posting if you decide not to share your current location. Tap the “choose this location” button if the area on the map matches your current the “post” button (plus sign) on the bottom center of the screen to get started on your milar to the steps above, you can choose an image, fill in the applicable fields that describe your ad and confirm your you’re pleased, click the “publish” button. Your ad on Craigslist will be live. Originally Published: Apr 19, 2011Craigslist FAQHow do I post something on Craigslist for free?
1. Visit 2. Click on the “create a posting” link in the top-left corner. 3. Choose a post category.
4. Enter the details for your post. 5. A link will be sent to your email confirming the post. Once you click on that accepting it, your ad will be live.
What is Craigslist USA? Craigslist was created in 1996 by Craig Newmark, a San Francisco-based computer programmer. He started a free website where people could exchange information, a new concept at the time. Today, it contains sections dedicated to services, items wanted, items for sale, housing jobs, gigs, community service and discussion forums. Craigslist has several versions for other countries as well.
How do I search all of U. S. Craigslist? Craiglist is divided by cities. It doesn’t have a lot of options for searching the entire website at one time. You can do it using Google, entering “” and the name of the item you’re looking for in the search bar. You can also try searching with a third-party tool like or.
Frequently Asked Questions about craigslist home page
How do I access my Craigslist account?
Visit the Craigslist homepage (see link in Resources).Click the “my account” link to proceed to the login page.Enter the email address and password associated with your Craigslist account. Click the “Log In” button to see your Craiglist account.
Why is Craigslist so bad?
The Dark Side: Scammers, Stalkers, and Setups. Scammers use Craigslist to steal money from unsuspecting victims by placing fraudulent advertisements with incredible deals. Buyers are asked to send money orders or checks online, and after making payment, never receive their item.
Is it free to post on Craigslist?
Craigslist is a free online classified and forum site. Craigslist users can post items for sale or seek out items they are hoping to purchase. This classifieds site also allows people to post housing for sale, lease, or rent. The listings even go beyond simply buying and selling.