How Does Craigslist Email Work
How Do I Reply to Craigslist Emails Anonymously? – Small …
Craigslist offers an anonymous email to advertisers on the site, so they do not have to reveal their real email address. All replies sent to this anonymous email is forwarded to their actual email. This extra steps prevents others from having access to a poster’s real address. Unfortunately, no such protection exists for those replying to posts. When you reply directly from Craigslist, your email address will be visible to the recipient. To reply anonymously, you need to create a free Web-based email address, which does not contain identifiable information. Go to a free Web-based email service, such as Gmail, Yahoo! Mail or Hotmail. Choose to create a new account and follow the service’s instructions. When creating your username, which is usually the first part of the email address, avoid using any identifiable information, especially your real name. Go to and locate the ad you want. Click and drag your mouse over the email address to highlight the entire address. Hold the “Ctrl” key and press “C” to copy the address. Return to your new Web-based email account, choose to compose a new email and click in the “To” field. Hold the “Ctrl” key and press “V” to paste the address in the field. Compose your email and click “Send” to send your email anonymously. References Tips When posting an ad, you should also use an anonymous email account. That way, if someone replies to you, you can respond without revealing your real email address. You may also copy the email directly from a received email and paste it into your Web-based account, just as described here. Writer Bio C. Taylor embarked on a professional writing career in 2009 and frequently writes about technology, science, business, finance, martial arts and the great outdoors. He writes for both online and offline publications, including the Journal of Asian Martial Arts, Samsung, Radio Shack, Motley Fool, Chron, Synonym and more. He received a Master of Science degree in wildlife biology from Clemson University and a Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences at College of Charleston. He also holds minors in statistics, physics and visual arts.
How to Reply to Craigslist Emails – Lifewire
When you use Craigslist to sell or purchase something, you communicate by sending an email to the other person in the transaction. To protect buyer and seller privacy, Craigslist keeps email addresses hidden. However, even with this security system, you might want to take additional precautions when responding to emails from Craigslist.
How Contacting Someone on Craigslist Works
Craigslist provides a “cover” email address that is forwarded to the recipient’s actual email address. Only Craigslist knows the real email addresses of both parties. This way, if one of the people involved turns out to be untrustworthy, they don’t have the other person’s email address.
When buying or selling items on Craigslist, you communicate through the website, using this two-way email relay.
How to Email Someone on Craigslist
When you reply to a post (that is, someone has something for sale that you want to buy), you’ll see an address that looks like:
Craigslist gives you the option of copying and pasting this email address into an email application that you will open on your own, or you can click one of the provided links to automatically open your email account.
Proxy Email Address
When you receive an email in response to an ad you posted, you’ll see an address that looks like: Although the sender used their real email account to contact you, the proxy email address hides their real email address.
When posting an ad, always use the Craigslist proxy email address. Additionally, use only your first name in the Contact Name field.
Protect Your Privacy With an Alternate Email Address
When you communicate using the proxy email address, your real name still shows up, as does signature data, such as your company name and phone number. If you’re concerned about your privacy, consider using a free alternate email address specifically for purchases.
More Security Tips
Part of the reason Craigslist uses the proxy email system is to prevent scams and the distribution of your private information. But it can only do so much. Do your part by not clicking links within any email you receive unless you trust the sender. Scammers can doctor emails to look like they’re from a particular sender, such as Craigslist—so when in doubt, always contact the sender through Craigslist to verify.
Additionally, once you’re in contact with a buyer or seller, you may want to exchange mobile numbers to make the transaction easier. While the majority of Craigslist users are trustworthy, go with your instincts before offering your mobile number. Also, remember to use personal security habits like meeting in a neutral, public location, such as a coffee shop or grocery store parking lot.
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Is There a Risk to Replying to a Craigslist Ad on Your Computer?
Craigslist has experienced some controversy over safety, but this has never seemed to slow the popularity of the site. While Craigslist is certainly a useful and effective classified marketplace, the nature of the site and the anonymity it provides users raises some flags regarding on and off-line safety. Craigslist does remove users who abuse the system, but also firmly believes in the ability of users to use good judgement and to police the system themselves. Spam When you reply to a Craigslist ad, the system asks you to provide an email address. This allows malicious spammers to gather email addresses for their campaigns. A common strategy is to post an ad that appears too good to be true; for example, a vehicle priced far below market value. This type of ad often gets a high rate of response, allowing the spammers to collect multiple email addresses from a single ad. If you’re worried about using your own email address, Craigslist recommends using an anonymous email with no identifiers in the address when replying to Craigslist ads. Scams Not all Craigslist ads are what they appear. It is risky to reply to ads that display certain warning signs. For instance, if a poster ever asks you to pay money in advance for any service or goods that you haven’t yet received, be very wary. Scammers request the funds up front and then never deliver the goods. Work-at-home offers should also be treated with some suspicion, and definitely disregarded if the poster requires a payment in order to apply for or accept a position. Legitimate work-at-home jobs are available, but these should never require up-front funds from you. Requests for direct deposits or escrow payments are also often an attempt to steal from you. Personal Information A request for personal information for the purposes of performing background or credit checks should not be replied to. This usually happens during a promise of employment, or while renting property. Don’t consent to, or provide information for the purposes of these checks without meeting in person with the other party. Ensure they are legitimate before you provide this information, as the same data could be used by an untrustworthy person to compromise your identity. Physical Harm One scary reality of Craigslist is that predators have used it in the past to lure victims out in the open. The most famous example of this type of predation probably involves Philip Markoff, sometimes called the Craigslist killer. Markoff allegedly lured his victims to a hotel using ads placed on Craigslist. However, other murders, assaults, robberies and crimes have been committed after people agree to meet through Craigslist. Always make arrangements to meet in a public place with lots of people around when meeting someone off the site. This helps keep everyone safe. Overall Risk Despite the pitfalls that a person needs to watch out for, Craigslist is a site used by millions with great success. Simply keep in mind basic Internet safety tips and strategies to ensure a risk-free experience with the site. The Craigslist Help pages are full of useful tips for ensuring that you can use the site safely and securely. References Resources Writer Bio Hans Fredrick has been busy in the online writing world since 2005. He has written on diverse topics ranging from career advice for actors to tips for motorcycle maintenance. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Saskatchewan.
Frequently Asked Questions about how does craigslist email work
How does email through Craigslist work?
Craigslist provides a “cover” email address that is forwarded to the recipient’s actual email address. Only Craigslist knows the real email addresses of both parties. This way, if one of the people involved turns out to be untrustworthy, they don’t have the other person’s email address.May 17, 2021
Is it safe to give email address on Craigslist?
When you reply to a Craigslist ad, the system asks you to provide an email address. … If you’re worried about using your own email address, Craigslist recommends using an anonymous email with no identifiers in the address when replying to Craigslist ads.
How does Craigslist contact work?
The most common way to contact a seller who posted on Craigslist is via email. However, this email may not appear valid, because it appears to go to Craigslist. This is normal. Craigslist offers sellers anonymity by encrypting their real email addresses with a Craigslist address.
