What Can a Craigslist Scammer Do With My Phone Number: Stay Safe

Here’s what a Craigslist scammer can do with your phone number. This can lead to spammy text messages, robocalls, and even identity theft. Scammers are constantly looking for new ways to trick you.

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They can attempt to scam you into providing personal details, text phishing scams, and even spoof your number to run other scams. Worse, they can use your number to create fraudulent ads or attempt to commit identity theft.

In the United States, phone numbers are tied to both financial and social accounts, exponentially increasing the danger. Anyone who lives in the U.S. Has likely witnessed the proliferation of these scams, particularly in larger metropolitan areas.

Read on to learn the most common scams to watch out for. We’ll give you tips on how to keep your number safe from scammers.

Why Scammers Target Your Number

Your phone number is not just a means to phone call or message. For scammers, it’s an entry point to your entire digital life. If you’re lucky, you may have already been informed about how scammers are using your personal data that’s linked to your number. When you post on sites like Craigslist, you put your number in front of people who see it as valuable data.

Here’s why scammers target it and why you should stop using it. They know how to take advantage of it in ways that can damage you, your company or your brand.

Your Number Is Valuable Data

Scammers have been known to sell phone numbers on the dark web. Even worse, identity thieves purchase lists of numbers and use them to perpetrate their own schemes. Your number is easily tied to your name, address, and even bank accounts.

Other scammers spoof your number to impersonate you and access your accounts. For example, they can use it to reset passwords by asking for verification codes. At other times, they sell your number to have other scammers send out realistic looking phishing texts. These may request logins or payment information, resulting in more serious issues.

Criminals might be able to use an Amazon seller’s phone number to defraud suppliers. Or they’ll go a step further and scam consumers using phony refund claims.

Gateway to More Information

Your number is a gateway to private information such as your home address or even your checking account. Scammers are experts when it comes to scouring public records and social media to connect the dots. Provided with a little information, they can easily figure out passwords or correctly respond to security questions.

They can conduct highly effective social engineering scams, calling your bank or utility company and impersonating you. If they’re able to request a two-factor code sent to your number, they can potentially log into your email. Or they could gain access to your Amazon or PayPal accounts.

Tool for Deception Tactics

Cloning your number to scammers, creating fake accounts is as simple as using your real number. Scammers could use your number to create fraudulent Craigslist ads or social media accounts. This lends an air of legitimacy to their scams.

They might con your friends, customers, or service providers out of wiring funds or divulging confidential information. Whether it’s a rental scam, an overpayment scam, or ticket fraud, the scheme usually begins with a hacked number.

No matter how vigilant you are, these tactics are effective because Americans trust the real McCoy.

What Scammers Do With Your Number

When a Craigslist scammer gets hold of your phone number, the risks go much deeper than just annoying spam calls. Scammers don’t just use your number as an attack vector – they use it as an instrument of attack. Every scam has you or someone you care about in their crosshairs.

Understanding how scammers use your phone number can help you spot red flags early and keep your personal and business life safer. Here’s a look at what scammers do with your number and how to avoid falling victim. This is particularly true for those in the U.S. Canada, where many use their phones for online banking and Amazon seller accounts.

1. Hijack Verification Codes

Fraudsters frequently attempt to have verification codes redirected to your number. They do this by spoofing your identity on sites or applications that utilize two-factor authentication (2FA). If your phone is what you use to protect your Amazon seller account, then a scammer can exploit that.

They can easily start the process of resetting your password. The website will then send a code to your phone number. With a few additional techniques, such as phishing or social engineering, they can intercept that code or trick you into giving it to them.

Once they have it, they can request a password reset, locking you out, and take full control of your account. The fallout can be severe: losing access to your business, financial loss, and even reputation damage if scammers use your account to scam others.

2. Launch Phishing Text Attacks

Your phone number provides scammers a new avenue to reach you—SMS. They can send spammy texts that appear to be from reputable businesses—Amazon, your bank, or even your friends. These spam texts often request sensitive information, including your social security number and banking information.

Often, they even have links to phishing sites created to capture your username and password. Even responding with simple information can provide scammers with a lot more than you realize. Just a quick “yes” or “no” will verify your number is in use, paving the way for more insidious, targeted attacks.

Getting caught in a phishing text scam can mean identity theft, financial loss, and endless hours spent cleaning up the mess.

3. Spoof Calls Using Your ID

Spoofing is a widespread scammer tactic that you may have heard about. To their benefit, these scammers can and will call your friends, family, and complete strangers, impersonating you. Typically, these calls claim the person has committed some sort of scam and needs to pay up.

The catch? Those who receive these calls might assume you’re the one making these sketchy calls, which will destroy your goodwill in a hurry. Your friends and family may receive abusive texts or phone calls in return, and you are at risk of receiving threats or harassment.

Spoof calls using your number could trick your friends and relatives into providing sensitive information or transferring funds. This shady practice compounds the harm by spreading it even further.

4. Link Number to Public Data

Numerous civic databases and social media networks similarly leverage phone numbers as a means of unique identification. Scammers can plug your number into search engines or data brokers and uncover your full name, address, email, and even your job.

In North America, phone numbers are sometimes attached to loyalty cards and online accounts. This creates an enormous amount of risk. Scammers then use this information to craft extremely targeted scams.

For instance, they can place fraudulent Amazon support calls with your actual account information or initiate phishing attacks tailored specifically to your hobbies. As they collect more and more information, it’s easier for them to steal your identity. They can use your number to more effectively con you into providing that sensitive data.

5. Target You With Fake Ads

If you’ve ever posted anything on Craigslist, scammers can use your phone number to contact you with phony offers or listings. First, you will get a text from the “buyer” who is interested in your item. Or, on the other hand, someone might dangle a “rich uncle” offer in front of you.

They’ll then request upfront payments, personal information, or bank account details. Many scams might use checks or money orders that are not real. If you deposit them, you’ll be on the hook for the money as soon as the bank realizes they’re counterfeit.

It’s a clickhole that can cost you thousands. It can put your identity at risk, particularly if you share more information than you realize.

6. Flood You With Spam/Harassment

Once your number is in the wild, there’s no telling where it will go and how it may appear on robocall and spam databases. Soon, you’ll find yourself being targeted with offers for car warranties, phony computer tech support, or sweepstakes you didn’t even sign up for.

Some are simply irritating, while others are meant to exhaust you and lure you into making an error. Sometimes, they just want to spam or harass you and your loved ones. They spam you with messages or calls, which is very harassing and cruel.

This creates a reality that quickly turns into an everyday nightmare. It makes it hard to filter out real, legitimate business communications, potentially leading to missed time-sensitive opportunities.

7. Fuel Social Engineering Schemes

Social engineering is when scammers use pieces of information to establish trust and encourage you to divulge additional information. A scammer could use your number to impersonate Amazon technical support. Scammers can impersonate a bank official, or even a friend who needs assistance.

The more they appear to be someone you would trust, the more likely you are to disclose sensitive information. Yet in the commercial arena, unauthorized transactions are the norm. Data breaches, fraudulent listings, and fake online ads or companies created in your name to launder money are examples.

Social engineering attacks are difficult to detect, and the consequences can be severe, ranging from financial loss to data breaches and reputational harm.

8. Attempt Account Takeovers

Your phone number is probably well-connected with your other online accounts. Scammers are able to do it to initiate password resets, two-factor verifications and more. If they’re successful in breaking in, they have access to your email, your bank, or your Amazon seller account.

This might allow them to conduct unauthorized transactions or to steal data. For business owners, this could translate to sales lost, customer information compromised, and a costly path to regaining access. Keeping these accounts secure in general is important, but even more so when your livelihood is tied to them.

9. Sell Your Number Online

A fresh, stolen phone number is a hot commodity on the dark web. Scammers merely sell them in bulk to other bad actors. The worse it is out there, the more your number goes into circulation, the more scams and spam you’ll be subjected to.

This can snowball, resulting in account takeovers, identity theft, and harassment from scammers you’ve never even encountered. The more valuable your number is, the more that it’s linked to authenticated accounts or established companies.

Which equals more spam, more fake offers and more scams in the future.

Common Craigslist Phone Number Scams

Craigslist is more than just a platform to buy or sell used furniture. This freewheeling exchange also invites scammers who exploit Craigslist phone numbers to perpetrate a variety of scams. Craigslist phone scams usually prey on trust and urgency in order to get victims to act quickly without thinking. They can save Canadians and Americans hundreds or thousands of dollars.

By knowing how these scams operate, you’ll be able to identify fraud early and protect your personal information and hard-earned cash. Here, I’ll explain the most frequent Craigslist phone number scams you’ll encounter. These scams can impact anyone, whether you’re selling a couch, looking for a new job, or searching for event tickets.

Each scam has its own playbook to follow. Their ultimate objectives are usually to get your personal information, your cash, or both. Being vigilant and informed about these scams is the first and best line of defense.

Fake Rental Listing Ploys

Rental scams have been a long running issue on Craigslist. Scammers will sometimes clone legitimate rental listings or use fake listings. They rely on general descriptions, such as “awesome downtown condo, all utilities included, pet friendly” with no address listed and no identifiable photos.

The prices are usually well under the market rate, making them enticing to renters who are hoping to score a deal. As soon as a renter expresses interest, the scammer acts quickly. They’ll ask for a security deposit or sometimes the first month’s rent in advance.

You can do this payment via wire transfer, e-transfer, or money order. Others might request sensitive information, such as your Social Security Number or driver’s license. They could say that it’s required for a credit check. In one documented instance, a fraudster netted $60,000 in deposits from multiple tenants for the same nonexistent unit.

You may be informed that you cannot visit the property to inspect it since the “owner” is away on vacation. This is a huge red flag.

Bogus Job Offer Schemes

Craigslist is overflowing with job listings, and scammers are aware that job seekers may be desperate. Fake job offers usually promise high pay, flexible hours or work-from-home opportunities.

These job listings will often instruct you to text or call a number to conduct an “interview” over the phone. From there, the scammer collects your personal information to conduct alleged background checks or requests payment for “training materials.

These ads often reek of bad grammar and a lack of company details. When the job offer is suspicious, if you’re being asked to pay money upfront, be suspicious. Providing your bank account details for “direct deposit” is another huge red flag.

Some go as far as sending counterfeit checks, instructing you to cash them and wire a part of it back. The checks will bounce and you’ll be stuck with the bill.

Overpayment Check Fraud

This is a common scam that targets the sellers. You post your item—furniture, electronics, anything—maybe even a car. In this scam, a buyer will contact you, usually through text message, often claiming to offer you more than your listed price.

They’ll then cut you a check or money order for the increased total. You’re instructed to deposit it, then wire the difference to a mover or other third party. The check may appear legitimate, but it’s counterfeit.

Your bank may allow you to spend the money before the check bounces several days later, leaving you liable for the entire sum. This is a very expensive scam, and it’s difficult to get the money back. Always allow sufficient time for payments to clear and steer clear of transactions that become complex or include overpayment schemes.

Phony Ticket Sale Traps

Concerts, sports games, and festivals are all ripe picking for counterfeit ticket scams. Scammers can easily create listings for sold-out events, offering tickets with enticing phrases such as “front row” or “VIP” to hook in potential buyers.

They’ll request payment in advance—often by wire transfer, e-transfer, or gift cards. Once you’ve paid, the tickets never show up, or you receive counterfeit tickets that won’t scan at the entrance. Many buyers lose hundreds or thousands of dollars in the process.

Fake rental ads are characterized by stock photos, poor spelling and grammar, and a sense of urgency to “get it before it’s gone.” Always check the legitimacy of the seller and use official ticket marketplaces when you can.

Non-Existent Pet Adoptions

Pet adoption scams pull at the heartstrings. Scammers may post photos of adorable puppies or kittens, only to request adoption fees, shipping fees, or deposits. The message is usually very urgent and emotionally charged, pressuring you to respond immediately.

The animal was never real, and you never get your money returned. Red flags for scams include requiring payment up front before seeing the animal, high-pressure tactics, and requesting wire transfers.

Legitimately adoptable pets will be available to meet in person. Pay no money upfront to adopt an animal sight unseen.

Fake Escrow Service Requests

Many Craigslist transactions can be for large-ticket items, such as vehicles or boats. Scammers will sometimes pretend to be an escrow service.

They’ll ask you to visit their scam sites and send payment via wire transfer or other untraceable methods. In actuality, the funds are deposited directly into the scammer’s account and the item is never exchanged.

Legitimate escrow services don’t rush you to send funds immediately, and they’re easily found with a simple internet search. If someone requests that you use an obscure escrow service, take a few minutes to research the name and reviews.

Vehicle Sale Verification Scams

Car listings are particularly vulnerable. To hook buyers, scammers will list vehicles at attractive, cut-rate prices. They might weave a sob story about needing to sell ASAP due to a family illness or emergency move.

They’ll request payment or a deposit before you even view the car. They even offer you “vehicle history reports” from sketchy websites to make you feel more comfortable. These links may lead to your personal data being stolen or your money being drained.

Any legitimate seller will be local and happy to meet in person. Always verify the vehicle’s VIN and history using a trusted service, and never pay for a car you haven’t physically inspected.

In all of these scams, many employ pay-per-call numbers, which charge you $25-$30 per call. Still others simply gather personal information to commit identity theft.

Be suspicious of unusually low prices, high-pressure tactics to make quick decisions, and requests for personal or payment information up front. If it’s too good to be true, it is. Awareness and skepticism are your greatest assets.

Recognizing Scammer Red Flags

Craigslist is still one of the most popular places to buy and sell things locally, which brings a lot of scammers right along with it. Learning what to look out for will prevent you from expending time and energy. Savvy sellers and buyers in the U.S. Canada alike should watch for these red flags.

These red flags are pretty obvious to indicate that someone is trying to scam you. Remaining vigilant and skeptical is the best way to protect your phone number, your cash, and your personal information.

Asking for Codes Immediately

One of this scammer’s oldest tricks is asking you for a confirmation code immediately after they contact you. No real buyers or sellers will ask for your Google Voice, SMS, or two-factor authentication code. Scammers specifically look for these codes in order to take over your accounts.

They could even use your number to generate fraudulent profiles. If someone you’ve never met requests “Please send me the code you just received,” that should raise a huge red flag! They rely on you being unsure of why they need it or being too hurried to stop and question it.

If you receive a request like this, run away. There’s absolutely no reason for it in a legitimate Craigslist transaction. Any pressure for codes at all is a surefire indicator the other person is not operating in good faith.

Pressuring for Personal Info

Legitimate Craigslist deals don’t happen in a hurry. Scammers, on the other hand, don’t want to waste time. They’ll request your home address, date of birth, or even your banking info right away.

They’ll tell you they have to have this to “hold it” or “lock in the deal.” Legitimate purchasers will never ask for personal information right at the beginning. If someone insists you send these before you even meet, or gives you only minutes to respond, that’s a problem.

Rushing through is a classic strategy to prevent you from posing inquiries. Be smart and don’t divulge anything beyond what you’re willing to share. Don’t allow other people’s urgency to create a rush to judgment.

Offering Unbelievable Deals

If a listing is priced significantly below market value that’s a scammer red flag bait. Scammers often use unbelievable deals to get you interested, banking on the fact that you’ll ignore the risk. If they promise you a $500 smartphone for only $50, run the other way!

Just like with a car, if it’s being sold for a ridiculously low price—99 percent off—something’s fishy. They may ask you to send a deposit to “hold” the item, then vanish after you send payment. Here’s the universal truth — if it’s too good to be true, it’s too good to be true.

A little research into current average prices online allows you to recognize deals that just don’t make sense.

Refusing In-Person Meetings

Many scams can be avoided if the other party won’t meet you in person. Craigslist was originally designed for local, in-person transactions. If they always seem to have an excuse—out of town, too busy, traveling for work—be wary.

Legitimate buyers and sellers want to meet in safe, public spaces. Coffee shop parking lots and police station parking lots are common meeting grounds. Scammers want to operate under the radar and without detection.

If they refuse to meet in person, that’s one of the biggest red flags. Any abrupt change to the location or format of the meeting, particularly on short notice, is a huge red flag. Risky transactions are conducted in the dark.

Using Sob Stories Urgently

Some scammers try to tug on your heartstrings in order to get you to act quickly. They’ll claim they’re in a hurry to sell due to a family emergency, an ill family member, or a quick relocation. These tales are meant to disarm you and make it difficult to challenge them.

Legitimate vendors shouldn’t have to tug on your heartstrings to make a sale. If someone’s entire pitch is about why you should help them urgently, be suspicious before you send any money or personal information.

It’s just a scammer tactic to rush or scare you into not doing the proper due diligence.

Requesting Odd Payment Methods

If someone requests that you wire money, use cryptocurrency, or buy gift cards to pay them, run the other way. Those payment methods are difficult to track down and simple for scammers to cash out. Apps such as Zelle, Venmo, or CashApp are just as dangerous because once you send money, it is gone forever.

Real buyers and sellers only deal with cash or safe, verifiable payments. Be suspicious if the person asks you to accept a cashier’s check, certified check, or money order. These can be easily faked.

One common scam involves sending you too much money right off the bat. They request that you refund the difference, but then when their check bounces, you lose money.

Other Common Red Flags

Any request to take the conversation off Craigslist, particularly to text or another messaging app, is a scammer bait. If the person is attempting to work out details off-platform, tread carefully. Scammers double dip by going after victims a second time.

They’ll even go so far as to impersonate law enforcement or a recovery service able to bring back your lost money. Proceed with caution if they request additional information or payment.

Go with your instincts. When in doubt, if something doesn’t feel right, take a step back and seek a second opinion.

Protect Your Number on Craigslist

Protecting your phone number on Craigslist is important for your safety and security. Once you share your number, you’re fair game for spam calls, robocalls, unsolicited texts and worse. It’s natural to want to get in touch quickly, but a few moments of added caution can save you a lot of trouble.

Craigslist users in the U.S. Canada face this danger every day. Taking a proactive stance protects you from scammers and helps keep your personal information more secure. That way, you can spend time on what really counts—closing your deal.

Use Craigslist’s Email Relay

Craigslist’s email relay allows buyers and sellers to communicate without sharing personal contact information. You’ll be able to respond to inquiries and arrange appointments, with your phone number remaining confidential.

This makes it a powerful tool against scammers who gather up phone numbers for use in scams. Using this feature keeps your real email and number hidden and stops spam and phishing messages.

Get a Temporary Burner Number

Burner numbers create a buffer between you and potential strangers. Temporary phone number services such as Google Voice or Burner are perfect for Craigslist. If a scammer does obtain the number, your actual phone remains protected.

Using a burner number keeps your main number safe and is easy to set up for short-term use. You can also remove the number once the transaction is complete.

Share Minimal Personal Details

Rule #4 – Share as few personal details as possible. Don’t give out your full name, address, or birthdate. Never share your banking info, and don’t give away information about your whereabouts or routine to strangers.

The more personal information you divulge, the more vulnerable you become. Almost every scam begins with an overload of personal details.

Vet Buyers and Sellers First

A quick background check or social media scan can catch these red flags. Google their email or phone, and ask for references or past reviews.

Be on the lookout for unusual requests or hasty transactions. Scammers tend to rush or be evasive on basic questions.

Meet Safely in Public Places

Meeting in public places protects you from most nefarious characters. Choose busy spots like coffee shops or police stations, and go during daylight.

Bring someone with you and let someone else know where you plan to be. It’s not fancy, but it gets the job done.

If Your Number Gets Exposed

If your cell number gets released on Craigslist, it doesn’t take long for things to get ugly. Often these unsuspecting victims begin receiving a torrent of spam texts, scam phone calls, or even violent threats. Other scammers will use your number to try and scam you or your friends.

They can fool you into revealing sensitive data, transferring funds, or downloading malware-riddled links. Or they may send you surprise 6-digit codes, such as Google Voice authentications, to hijack your accounts. They can do it even more simply by impersonating you with your phone number.

This can put anyone in a place where they are scared, exposed, and not knowing what will happen next. Quick action not only preserves your peace of mind, but protects you financially.

Monitor Financial Accounts Closely

Monitor Financial Accounts Closely Cut up and dispose of your old cards.
Set expiration alerts for approaching due payments and mobile alerts for all transactions above a certain threshold limit.
Set up fraud alerts with your financial institution.
Freeze your credit if you notice anything off.
Report any suspicious activity to your bank right away.

Monitoring your financial accounts closely will keep you one step ahead of all the scammers out there. Scammers might try to use your exposed number to get into your accounts.

Report Scams to Authorities

Contact the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) in the US.
If you’re in Canada, file a report with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Tell your local police if you get threats.
Report the scam to Craigslist support.

Your experience alerts law enforcement to where they need to pursue scams and protects others in your community from falling victim.

Warn Your Contacts About Spoofing

Message your contacts. Warn friends and family that they might get a spoofed call or text from your old number.
Post a warning on your social media.
Tell your work contacts if needed.
Warn your contacts against spoofing. Remind everyone not to send money or personal information if “you” suddenly request it.

Informing your network not only keeps them safe, but helps prevent more scams from proliferating.

Block Suspicious Numbers Promptly

Block unwanted callers or texters directly from your phone using your device’s blocking feature.
Mark spam messages so carriers catch them.
Install a call-blocking app if needed.
Consider changing your number if things get extreme.

Blocking repeat offenders ends the annoyance and restores your tranquility.

Enable Strong Account Security

Change passwords and use unique ones for each account.
Turn on two-factor authentication everywhere you can.
Update recovery phone numbers and emails.
Regularly review your account security settings.

The stronger the security, the harder it is for the scammers to use your number to gain access to your private universe.

Can Phone Companies Help Much?

Phone companies in the U.S. Canada, as well as regulators on both sides of the border, have taken significant measures to combat scams and spam. They provide helpful features such as call blocking, spam call warning, and even AI-based call screening on certain plans.

These tools are designed to block unwanted calls and texts from ever reaching your phone. Yet, here’s the reality—even with these tools, scammers get through. Scammers take advantage of number spoofing to hide who they really are behind trusted callers.

This strategy complicates carriers’ ability to tell the difference between legitimate and spoofed calls. Indeed, many advocates hope that phone companies would go much further. That’s no small feat, particularly since new con artist schemes are coming up all the time.

Carrier Security Limitations

When you buy a phone, your carrier provides a basic level of security—call filtering, blocking, authentication such as PIN codes or biometric scanning. These tools have their limits.

Carrier security limitations vary significantly. Not all carriers provide equal protection. For smaller, regional carriers, it’s possible that they don’t have access to the newest spam detection technology.

Even the carriers that are the household names aren’t capable of detecting all spoofed numbers or preventing every attempted scam. It’s always a good idea to go above and beyond and take precautions independently. Avoid sharing your number whenever possible, and always use unique passwords with two-factor authentication.

Reporting Spam Texts/Calls

Reporting spam doesn’t just help you; it helps all customers by making carrier systems smarter at spotting these scams. Here’s how you can report:

For texts, forward the message to 7726 (SPAM).
For calls, report to your carrier.

For call blocking, report robocalls through your carrier’s app or online account. Contact your carrier’s customer service for help.

Save scam numbers and block them on your phone. Check your carrier’s site for extra reporting tools. By doing your part, you’ll help your carrier increase their scam-blocking power.

Conclusion

In short, there’s a lot that scammers can do with only your Craigslist phone number. Or they could just flood your phone with robocalls. Or they could attempt to scam you with phony verification codes or scam you by phishing for your information while posing as buyers. A real example: some folks in Dallas got roped into fake rental listings, all because they gave out their numbers. Remaining on our toes is important. Look out for unusual payment requests, protect your phone number, and listen to your instincts. If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Once your number goes astray, move quickly—fend off suspicious calls and notify your telecom provider. Stay vigilant, and you can avoid the majority of these nuisances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Craigslist scammer steal my identity with just my phone number?

Can a Craigslist scammer steal my identity with just my phone number? Every time you provide personal information over the phone or in a text message, you put yourself at risk of identity theft.

What are the biggest risks if a scammer has my phone number?

They might use it to send phishing texts, attempt social engineering, or register you for spam. Occasionally, they may attempt SIM swapping to directly gain access to your accounts.

How do scammers use my phone number for Craigslist scams?

They use your number to bait you into providing sensitive information. They don’t stop there. They send fake payment links to prospects. They impersonate you to your prospects and clients.

Can scammers track my exact location with my phone number?

So usually, the answer is no. Can scammers determine my exact location using my phone number? This information is only available to law enforcement or your carrier.

What should I do if I gave my phone number to a Craigslist scammer?

Simply stop answering their calls. Action item #3 Block their number. Be on the lookout for any shady communications and consider alerting Craigslist and your carrier about the scam.

Can my phone company stop Craigslist scams?

Phone companies can block the spam calls and texts that reach us, but they cannot stop every scam. Take advantage of call-blocking features and report any suspicious activity to help keep everyone safe.

Should I use my real phone number on Craigslist?

Overall, it’s much more secure to use a Google Voice number or other temporary number. This protects your privacy and keeps the Craigslist scammers away at the same time.