Is Craigslist a Trusted Website?

As a website, Craigslist is generally safe when it comes to threats such as viruses and identity theft. The online classified ad site uses standard security protocols, has a strict privacy policy and limits the types of files users can post to the site. But the people who use Craigslist are another matter. While millions of people use the site each month without problems, proceed with caution when doing business through the site. Anyone can post to Craigslist anonymously, and Craigslist provides no protection policies for buyers or sellers.

Website Security

Craigslist uses the Secure Sockets Layer protocol, or SSL, to secure communications between your computer and its servers. This security protocol is the industry standard for encrpyting communications over the Web. You can verify that Craigslist or another website is using SSL by looking for the "https:" header at the beginning of the URL in your browser's address bar. Craigslist also uses SSL to transfer your credit card data to payment processors when you pay for an ad.


You're unlikely to get a computer virus by going to the Craigslist website or by viewing ads, but be careful about following any links contained in the ads. Craigslist doesn't allow live, clickable links in its postings, but many advertisers get around this by including link information within the ad's images or text. Use anti-virus protection if you follow any of these links, just as you would with unknown links from other websites.

Seller Scams

While Craiglist's servers may be trustworthy, the company has no control over the people who place ads on its pages. Generally, the only identification someone needs to advertise on Craigslist is a valid email address, although in some cases the website also requires phone verification. Probably the most common scam is a seller who asks you to pay in advance with a wire transfer or money order, and then never ships the item. As a general rule, don't pay for anything advertised on Craigslist unless you meet with the seller personally.

Buyer Scams

If you use Craigslist to sell items, you should also watch out for buyers who send you a cashier's check or money order and ask you to ship the item. It's common for the check or money order to be fake, even though your bank may initially accept it. Once the bank discovers the fake, you will be held responsible -- not the sender who likely will not get caught.


Craigslist states in its privacy policy that it doesn't share your personal information or use tracking cookies for marketing purpose. It also states that it won't share your information with government agencies except in response to subpoenas, court orders or other legal processes. Also, when you place an ad on Craigslist, you have the option of using a Craigslist anonymous email, which allows you to communicate with prospective buyers without revealing your real email address.


Craigslist relies on self-policing to limit postings that are obvious scams or that violate the site's terms of service in other ways. Users can anonymously flag individual posts. If enough users flag a particular post, Craigslist removes it from the site automatically.


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