Are you aware of the dangers of using Craigslist?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 09:45:39 -0400

There have been a large number of crimes suspected and proven to have been committed through the posting of ads on Craigslist.

Craigslist seems like a great way to be thrifty and find great deals but beware that it is used by predators to find victims. Murderers, Rapists, Thieves... have all used Craigslist to aid in the goal of committing their crime. We only know about the ones that are caught or suspected.

If you're using Craigslist to buy or sell an item you should be extremely careful about where and when you meet someone and the information that he or she has about you.
Follow guidelines to ensure your safety.
Insist on meeting in a public place, a place like a cafe.
Refuse to meet in a secluded place.
Do not invite strangers into your home.
If buying or selling a high value item be especially careful and wary of potential scams. Never wire money without completing verification.
Insist on making high value exchanges at your local police station or if large items in the Police station parking lot.
Take a friend with you if you can. Be sure you tell a friend or family member where you're going, who you are meeting, what it is for, leave the contact information you have for that person with a friend or family member.
Have a check system in place. If you don't report in or come back within a certain amount of time and they cannot reach you by cell phone or other arranged manner, your family member or friend should report all the information they have to the Police immediately.
Consider having a friend accompany you.
Trust your instincts. If you have a "gut" instinct something isn't right, go with it and either don't meet the person or get away as quickly as you can. Make up an excuse I didn't bring the item or money... I have to go get it I'll be right back.....

These are some of the crimes suspected to and proven to be related to Craigslist, this year alone. Please be careful out there and warn your Soldiers.

"Police say the body of a 22-year-old Robert Lovings Polk of St. Louis was found Thursday. A St. Louis man who went missing nearly two weeks ago. Polk was meeting someone on Newstead about a black Mustang posted for sale on Craigslist, but since he left to meet the seller, no one had heard from him. Oct 3, 2015

An alleged killer is in jail, suspected of killing a 19-year-old college student who posted a Craigslist ad. Taylor Clark was attempting to sell his car on the website and investigators say he met with 24-year-old Michael Gordon to test drive his vehicle. That’s when Gordon allegedly shot Clark. May 2015

The grisly cutting of a fetus from a woman began with a Craigslist ad about baby clothes for sale. Michelle Wilkins, a 26-year-old woman who was seven months pregnant, arrived at the seller's home just before noon Wednesday in Longmont, Colorado. She was able to save herself by calling 911, her baby died. March 2015

Clark Atlanta University student, 21-year-old James Jones, was robbed, shot, and killed when he responded to a Craigslist ad for an iPhone. Jordan Baker, 19, Jonathon Myles, 19, and Kaylnn Ruthenberg, 21, were arrested by Marietta detectives, and have all been charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault and felony murder. February 2015

Cobb County couple Bud and June Runion were murdered when they were lured to Telfair County in south Georgia with a vintage car ad on Craigslist. Police say the elderly couple were both shot in the head. Ronnie Jay Towns was indicted on two counts of malice murder, four counts of felony murder, and two counts of armed robbery. There was no car. " January 2015

http://www.11alive.com/story/news/crime/2015/03/19/legal-watch--rash-of-craigslist-crimes/25031347/

LEGAL WATCH | Craigslist crimes liability

Just three months into 2015, it's already been a year of high-profile crimes with connections to Craigslist.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 19 at 2015 9:47 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 09:47:52 -0400

I would never use Craigslist CPT Private RallyPoint Member. I have seen too many instances where people have been lured to their deaths, ripped off, etc.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 19 at 2015 9:55 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 09:55:06 -0400

I use Craigslist quite often and luckily I've been blessed to not have any issues, but I keep my head on a swivel and I NEVER agree to meet anyone without someone with me as backup, meet in public places, or meet them ANYWHERE without a weapon(s) on me. I've had large sums of cash when I've bought vehicles, and people who might act ignorant get a sudden case of "Act Right" when they see that I'm quite serious and have a weapon(s) on me. You HAVE to protect yourself with any site like this, and trust no one.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 9:58 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 09:58:57 -0400

Are you aware of the danger using Facebook too???? lol

Well, that is still a good question to ask. A lot people are very unaware of dangerous situation they are getting into.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Oct 19 at 2015 10:12 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 10:12:47 -0400

If people haven't they have been living under a rock! One comes to mind the Craigslist murders!

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Oct 19 at 2015 10:20 AM

SSG Audwin Scott — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 10:20:08 -0400

I am very reluctant to purchase anything on line as it is, but certainly thank you for giving this update.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Oct 19 at 2015 10:36 AM

LTC John Shaw — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 10:36:21 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I have never used Craig's list, not comfortable using that process. I use Angie's list or other sources that have been confirmed. I am not good with limited visibility on these type of services.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Oct 19 at 2015 10:44 AM

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 10:44:39 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Not a fan of Craigslist.

Response by CW3 Bernard"Chief" Collier made Oct 19 at 2015 10:55 AM

CW3 Bernard"Chief" Collier — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 10:55:01 -0400

I advertise job opportunities on Craigslist every day. There are people out there that have no good intentions which makes it harder for those of us, who are honest and have good intentions. I totally agree that you have to have your head on a swivel and be cautious.

I have not brought anything on Craigslist yet, but from an advertiser's perspective, I believe that the credibility of the advertiser's company should be validated. Or in the case of a seller, definitely meet in a neutral place or bring some one with you. I would never pay in advance, unless it is a verifiable business with a valid website. Although that does not guarantee it. When buying I normally stick to brand name companies that have storefronts as well.

I see a large amount of scams on FaceBook too. Use the same caution.

The bottom line is this, not everybody is out to harm on Craigslist. Weed though the scams and find the gold.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Oct 19 at 2015 11:02 AM

MSgt James Mullis — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 11:02:52 -0400

If you have to buy or sell something on Craigslist, make the deal in the lobby of your local Police station.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Oct 19 at 2015 12:06 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 12:06:08 -0400

I've never had problems, but with big items I've sold, I've met the buyers in public places...

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Oct 19 at 2015 8:46 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 20:46:14 -0400

I use Craigslist....I list open houses...and merchandise for sale...and purchase from Craigslist...however if I ever buy anything, it's always during the day in a very busy place....usually a Starbucks.

Response by Cpl James Waycasie made Oct 19 at 2015 10:55 PM

Cpl James Waycasie — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 22:55:14 -0400

Have to be careful on Craigslist. There are a lot of scams involving Western Union checks on there when people want to pay with W.U.. I suggest if selling or buying an item require them to use PayPal or other legit online payment system. If you accept a mailed personal check tell them you will not ship an item to them until the check 100% clears. If selling or buying in person to an unknown individual always have someone else with you and I suggest one of you be armed and very wary. More than a few people have been lured to other cities only to be robbed and/or killed .

Response by PO1 John Miller made Oct 20 at 2015 2:19 AM

PO1 John Miller — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 02:19:18 -0400

I've used CL before. I decided to rent out a few rooms in my house and used it to find a renter. I ended up renting the rooms to a single mom and her 3 kids and I ran a background check on the woman. I had no issues. I did end up evicting her, but for other reasons.

Other than that, I haven't bought anything from CL but have sold a few items. If I ever DO buy something, it would probably be a vehicle or motorcycle, and only from a dealer.

Response by SPC Edward Tapper made Oct 21 at 2015 8:28 PM

SPC Edward Tapper — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 20:28:59 -0400

It is a sad society that we live in now. Yes, I am a Pastor, but I am not meeting anyone I don't know for any reason, without being armed. The Bible tells us, "Thou shalt not kill!" I say, on the other hand, "Thou shalt not stand idly by and let yourself be killed!" The internet is the new killing field headquarters. Murder plans are drafted and initiated on the web now and all online meetings should be approached with caution, to include online dating sites.