# How do craigslist scams work and could this be one? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 13, 2020, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-craigslist-scams-work-and-could-this-be-one/915246 "2020-07-13T21:40:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2020, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-craigslist-scams-work-and-could-this-be-one/915246/1 "2020-07-13T21:40:41Z")
[https://longisland.craigslist.org/zip/d/long-island-city-dining-table-set-free/7157979822.html](https://longisland.craigslist.org/zip/d/long-island-city-dining-table-set-free/7157979822.html) I responded to this via text yesterday and they texted me back from another number. I asked whether it was the same person as the number in the ad and they said “Yes my new number” They sent me a google verification code to text back to them and were very insistent when I didn’t respond right away. Their English is odd, “Give me the code & it’s prove that you are real ? not a Fake Man” and “Thank you so much SIR/MAM … You are a real Person I’ll call you Later. I’m in work” Any red flags? ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2020, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-craigslist-scams-work-and-could-this-be-one/915246/2 "2020-07-13T21:47:31Z")
Stinks to me. I wonder whether the angle will be that you have to pay them to have it moved. The photo looks like it is from an ad, not a real house. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2020, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-craigslist-scams-work-and-could-this-be-one/915246/3 "2020-07-13T21:55:35Z")
How could they be sending a Google verification code? Wouldn’t that come from Google? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2020, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-craigslist-scams-work-and-could-this-be-one/915246/4 "2020-07-13T21:58:28Z")
If the stuff is on Long Island, why is the phone number for the northern Philly 'burbs? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2020, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-craigslist-scams-work-and-could-this-be-one/915246/5 "2020-07-13T21:59:03Z")
> **[The Verification Code scam | computer tip | Computer repair, personal...](https://computertutorflorida.com/2019/01/the-verification-code-scam/)** > > Don't fall for the Verification Code scam - here's how it works ---
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2020, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-craigslist-scams-work-and-could-this-be-one/915246/6 "2020-07-13T21:59:21Z")
Change your google password immediately. It looks like you’ve already been scammed. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2020, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-craigslist-scams-work-and-could-this-be-one/915246/7 "2020-07-13T21:59:53Z")
Because, in this age of cell phones, phone numbers and locations don’t correspond the way they used to. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2020, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-craigslist-scams-work-and-could-this-be-one/915246/8 "2020-07-13T22:03:24Z")
[This](https://www.caller.be/mobile-phone/2672173272) says it goes to a landline in Joisey. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2020, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-craigslist-scams-work-and-could-this-be-one/915246/9 "2020-07-13T22:06:21Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > [This](https://www.caller.be/mobile-phone/2672173272) says it goes to a landline in Joisey That is different, then. Between this and **running\_coach’s** scam link, it is almost assuredly a scam. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2020, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-craigslist-scams-work-and-could-this-be-one/915246/10 "2020-07-13T22:08:13Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > [The Verification Code scam | computer tip | Computer repair, personal computer instruction in Safety Harbor, Clearwater, Tampa, St Pete](https://computertutorflorida.com/2019/01/the-verification-code-scam/) That’s obviously what’s going on here… but I’m not really clear what advantage the scammer has now gained by setting up an account using OP’s phone number? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2020, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-craigslist-scams-work-and-could-this-be-one/915246/11 "2020-07-13T22:13:15Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > I’m not really clear what advantage the scammer has now gained by setting up an account using OP’s phone number? I guess it’s like using a burner phone without actually buying a phone and future scams are done via email. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2020, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-craigslist-scams-work-and-could-this-be-one/915246/12 "2020-07-13T23:11:05Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > That’s obviously what’s going on here… but I’m not really clear what advantage the scammer has now gained by setting up an account using OP’s phone number? I haven’t seen it set up that way, but as explained in the link, that person can now do whatever they want on craigslist and if something goes south, the only real contact craigslist, buyers, sellers, police etc have, is the OPs phone number. Now, if the person happens to have your gmail address, they can use that verification code to reset your password and they now effectively have control over everything under the google/gmail umbrella. ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2020, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-craigslist-scams-work-and-could-this-be-one/915246/13 "2020-07-13T23:15:07Z")
Yikes. I’m pretty sure that they don’t have my gmail address but will reset my password anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2020, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-craigslist-scams-work-and-could-this-be-one/915246/14 "2020-07-13T23:41:52Z")
> [@gkster](#): > > Yikes. I’m pretty sure that they don’t have my gmail address but will reset my password anyway Go to Gmail (not logged in or use a private window), hit the ‘forgot my email’ button, punch in your phone number and see if it’ll give you your address. Also, if you have an android phone, your gmail account and phone number are almost certainly linked. ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-craigslist-scams-work-and-could-this-be-one/915246/15 "2020-07-14T00:50:25Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Go to Gmail (not logged in or use a private window), hit the ‘forgot my email’ button, punch in your phone number and see if it’ll give you your address. > Also, if you have an android phone, your gmail account and phone number are almost certainly linked. Thanks, I went to an incognito window and “forgot my email”; when I put in my phone number this is what came up: # What’s your name? Enter the name on your Google Account Also the name on my Google account isn’t the name on my phone which maybe will deter the scammer…I hope…I do have an android phone, though. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-craigslist-scams-work-and-could-this-be-one/915246/16 "2021-01-30T18:29:56Z")
Craigslist scammers are getting lazier, it seems. I put some antique china up for sale and got two responses of: "Are you the original owner (no, stupid, they’re _antiques_), followed by “I don’t check CL email, so text me at (number)”, or “I don’t check CL mail, so here is my personal email.” Sure thing, moron.