Don’t Get Tricked by the Craigslist Text Spam [Top Hacks]
It is a well-known fact that the minute you post an ad on Craigslist, you’ll get several texts from people trying to scam you.
Craigslist may be a great place to sell or buy things, but it’s also frequented by scammers sending spam text messages. It’s easy for a fraudster to find a target on a platform on which users leave their phone numbers and emails to simplify the communication process with buyers.
Different Types of Craigslist Spam Texts
Craigslist is a playground for scammers, as most digital shopping platforms are. Fraudsters usually target sellers, tricking them into handing over personal information.
Sellers are the ones eager to close the deal, which opens a range of possibilities for scammers. Regardless of the method, the endgame is the same—stealing your money or using your private info in other scams.
That is why there is not one specific Craigslists text spam.
Some of the common ones are:
Texts in which the buyer is asking you to text them back
Messages where you are instructed to share a verification code
Bogus messages from Craigslist containing malicious links
Why Do Scammers Behind Craigslist Spam Ask You To Text Them Back?
Once you post an item, you might receive a reply from someone asking for your phone number. It looks innocent enough—it’s easier to text, send pictures, or talk about the deal—so you may oblige and send them your contact info. And then you never hear from them again.
Some time passes and your phone is flooded with spam calls and texts.
What happened is that the “buyer” sold your number to a telemarketer or another scammer.
I Got a Spam Text After a Craigslist Post in Which the Sender Is Asking for a Google Verification Code. Is It a Scam?
It’s a scam. One that has been baffling the Internet for a while.
The interaction will start as usual and the buyer will agree to your payment terms, but then they will want to verify that your post is not fake by sending you a verification code. If you agree, this is what happens next:
You will get a six-digit Google verification code from Google phone service. The message will instruct you not to share it with anyone
The “buyer” will ask for the code
In case you share it, scammers will use that code and your phone number to create their own free Google phone number and scam other people. They can also use it to access your Google account
What Are the Craigslist Text-Alerts Spam Messages?
These messages are phishing attempts. They are not unique to texts since Craigslist spam emails are often a part of the phishing scam.
Scammers behind these texts are using spoofing technology so that the messages appear to be coming from the Craigslist website.
The text will say that you have a new notification about a Craigslist post and provide you with a fake link to it.
A link will either:
Lead to a bogus Craigslist site prompting you to log in
Ask for your Social Security number or credit card info to verify your identity
Install spyware on your phone and steal your private data
If Craigslist Text Message Spam Is Illegal, What About Other Text Spam?
Not all unwanted texts you receive are illegal. The above-mentioned examples are clearly scams, but many texts are coming from legitimate companies and organizations.
The CAN-SPAM Act is one of the laws that regulate both spam mail and spam texts.
According to the CAN-SPAM Act text, the sender is not allowed to use Internet-to-phone SMS technology to send texts to a cell phone, which helps weed out many text spammers.
Some legal spam texts are:
Texts from companies that have your permission to contact you
Emergency and info messages from schools and health centers
Fundraising-related messages from charities
Political text spam
Debt-collection messages
How To Prevent Spam Texts on Craigslist
Craigslist scams are specific. They are not based on a massive outreach software, but on the notion that you are desperate to sell your item. A scammer will not target you in particular. They will throw the hook to many sellers and see who bites.
There are steps to take to minimize the chances of spammers picking you, but also guidelines to follow once you do receive a spam text.
Here is a Do’s and Don’ts list that you can use:
DO
DON’T
Pay attention to typos and broken English
Take note of the trigger words like Now, Immediately, or Instantly
Use your phone’s tools to block suspicious messages on Android or iPhone
Report the spam to proper authorities
Check what anti-spam text filter your carrier offers
Use third-party apps, like Nomorobo, Truecaller, or RoboKiller to block spam texts
Get revenge on spam texters with DoNotPay
Give away your real phone number
Respond to suspicious messages
Click on any links
Give out your Social Security number
Disclose your credit card info
How To Stop Craigslist Spam Text Messages and Get Your Revenge With DoNotPay
When you receive a suspicious Craigslist-related text, particularly the one in which the sender is asking for your payment info, access DoNotPay from your web browser and follow these steps:
Find the Robo Revenge feature
Generate a fake virtual credit card
Provide the scammers with your free virtual credit card number
Wait for them to try to collect the payment and fail
That is not all. DoNotPay will unmask the sender and obtain their info, which is evidence admissible in court.
How To Report Craigslist Spam Text Messages
In case you want to report text spam related to your Craigslist post, you can try one of the following options:
Copy the message and forward it to 7726
Report the spam message to the Federal Trade Commission
Use your message app to report suspicious texts
Report text spam to Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or another service provider
Text Scams To Pay Attention to Other Than the Craigslist Spam Texts
Here are some examples of other common text scams you should look out for:
Scam
What’s It About
Bank of America spam text
Phishing scams directed at BoA patrons aiming to steal their sensitive info
Email to text spam messages
Random texts with email instead of a sender number are often meant to mimic legitimate organizations
Facebook confirmation code text spam
A text message from a Facebook service with a confirmation code that you never requested
Wells Fargo alert text message spam
Scams aiming to incite interaction like clicking on a link, opening an attachment, or disclosing personal information
Group text spam messages
Random texts showing up in chat groups, usually including links to malicious websites
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Spam Hall of Shame – Craigslist Scam Attempt Text Message …
Welcome to our Spam Hall of Shame. Where we post some of the most bizarre, funny but potentially harmful scam/spam to the unknowing victim.
This spam showcases around Craigslist’s SMS Phishing attempts. Below is the actual automated reply(s) from the phone number(s) listed in this article regarding our very own craigslist ad.
Because we always post in two or more regions with similar titles, we know its a scam when you get two identical spam text that try to appear there interested. If you are wondering if craigslist has voicemail, the answer is no.
If you get any type of reply email, text or voice mail, simply delete and add to your spam list. Below is the actual text they used in multiple listings trying to get engagement, in which they would proceed to setup their scam in sending you a check made out for more money then your asking so you have to send them real money back.
FROM: (256) 255-4277; Hello, My name is Kelvin, please what’s the lowest price and am i texting to the direct owner of the…
FROM: (509) 497-7137; You receive (2) voice message for your item, to listen them use: FROM: (717) 485-3020; You have 2 new buyer messages for your craigslist item, to read them visit: FROM: (248) 338-9141; You received 1 new message regarding your ad on Craiglist. Review at: FROM: (586) 716-7811; 22824QqMBq New messages for your item. Read your Craigslist messages here: FROM: (601) 665-4924; You have a new notification for your Craigslist post, view here: FROM: (323) 612-1179; Is your still available? Call me.
FROM: (717) 464-9440;You received an offer for your ad on Craiglist. Review at: FROM: (508) 655-0737; You have 2 new messages for your CL item/? 59642, to read them use: FROM: (203) 779-5252; You received an message regarding your ad on Craiglist. Review at: Don’t fall for this type of scam. Make sure to simply add the numbers to your block list. Most number will be out of state. These are classic phishing attempts, either by voice once you call them or by links that will take you to the spammers site that may look like craigslist site wanting you to login.
But your actually giving them your login credentials, in which they were use them to further spam and try to obtain payments fraudulently among other things.
View others that made it to the Spam Hall Of Shame. And let us know if you received the similar email and if it was from a different email address.
“Craigslist Inbox Full – Received New Messages” Phishing …
The email message below with the subject: “United Nations Arbitration Centre Department, ” which claims that the recipients have received new messages from Craigslist but their inboxes are full, is a phishing scam. The fake or phishing email message was NOT sent by Craigslist, but by scammers, who are attempting to trick their potential victims into visiting a phishing website that will steal their online accounts’ username and passwords, personal and financial information. Therefore, recipients of the fraudulent email message should delete it and not follow the instructions into it.
The Phishing Craigslist Email Message From: Support k365sfxvvqh1 Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2016 8:46 AM Subject: Craigslist Inbox Full You have received: 2 New Messages From Craigslist w4m: CLICK SHOW IMAGES ABOVE TO VIEW MESSAGE This is an automated response. Thank you. The link in the phishing email message goes to the following phishing or fake website: But, the cybercriminals may change the link to go to other phishing or fake websites. You can control your email box with the best email campaign software.
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Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.
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Frequently Asked Questions about you have 2 new messages for your craigslist item
How can you tell a Craigslist scammer?
How to Spot a Scam on CraigslistAvoid deals that seem too good to be true.Look out for ads that display a sense of urgency.Watch for deals where the seller asks for money upfront to secure the item.Be smart about how you pay.If an ad offers an item for sale that doesn’t match the image, it’s likely a scam.More items…
Where are my messages on Craigslist?
Access your Craigslist private messages by logging into your Craigslist account with the username and password that you used to initially make the Craigslist post. Click the “Inbox” link and then click on a message to read it.Oct 9, 2017
How do I respond to a Craigslist scammer?
Respond to the email you receive with your dedicated Craigslist email address. Limit personal information, such your address or phone number, in an email response. You can handily deal with an interested party or even a confirmed buyer without initially divulging this information.