Why Using Your Personal Phone Number on Craigslist is Dangerous

Posted on 05/11/24 02:05 pm

Why Using Your Personal Phone Number on Craigslist is Dangerous

Craigslist is a North American-oriented website for publishing advertisements and job offers, founded in 1995. Its basic features are similar to many digital ad boards around the world. However, a variety of exclusive options, including forums, information services, and customized ads, make it unique.

No payments are required to create a Craigslist account or use it. Craigslist generates revenue through commissions on postings in certain categories, including job offers, apartment rentals or real estate in some cities, vehicle sales/rentals, and specific events. The fee amount depends on the region where you post.

These features have helped attract 60 million users from 700 Canada/US-based neighborhoods. If you’re interested, you can try Craigslist, but its utilization requires several inconvenient steps, including mobile number verification. This raises the question: is Craigslist safe to use?

Related: “How to Register and Start Selling on OLX Without a Phone Number”

Phone Numbers on Craigslist

To answer this, it’s wise to review the website’s terms of service. Craigslist does not require you to register an account to view advertisements or contact users. However, having a profile allows users to monitor postings in a uniform interface, making it more convenient to register on the website instead of browsing without a profile.

If you want to create a Craigslist account, you need to undergo a simple procedure:

  1. Go to the official Craigslist website at www.craigslist.org.
  2. In the top corner on the right, click on the registration button.
  3. Select the desired region and click “Continue.”
  4. Enter your email and create a strong password.
  5. Confirm your email by clicking on the special link sent to you.
  6. You will receive a notification about phone number verification when you publish ads. The system will ask you to enter a verification code, which will be sent to your phone. After this procedure is complete, you can use all the features of the site. This has its pros and cons related to usability and security.

Requiring a phone number relates to safety issues. Digital boards like Craigslist are common places for scammers and spammers to operate. To prevent threats, a phone number is needed for posting on Craigslist. It helps sift out fraudsters and allows for tracking and banning them.

Some users prioritize security over anonymity and feel comfortable providing private information to large services like Craigslist, which require a piece of data in exchange for comfort. However, there are potential downsides that you should consider, as they can impact your security when creating a Craigslist account and using it.

Why You Shouldn’t Give Your Phone Number to Craigslist

Those who refuse to provide their phone number to publish an ad on Craigslist consider it a safety threat and a violation of privacy, especially since they are unsure how the website will use their customer data. Nobody wants their personal information used uncontrollably by services that many people are trying to limit sharing with.

While there are no confirmed cases of Craigslist selling its users’ information to third parties, its servers have periodically been attacked by hackers and fraudsters who spread computer malware. This means that giving any information beyond a generated email and password can be dangerous and, in many cases, unnecessary.

Given these reasons, many users look for bypass solutions to avoid sharing their phone number on Craigslist.

Note! If the system detects any discrepancies, it may consider your account fake and ban it. Thus, be very cautious when searching for ways to create a Craigslist account and publish ads. Some services may display guarantees and fake testimonials, but in reality, they could be scams.

How to Get a Virtual Phone Number for Craigslist

Virtual mobile numbers are cloud-based phone numbers that exist separately from any physical device. They allow you to receive SMS messages from anywhere at any time, making them convenient for online use. Utilizing these numbers is untraceable and does not require any special skills or additional software.

SMSOTPVERIFY offers cost-effective virtual phone numbers that can receive text messages. This makes the service an excellent solution for safely using Craigslist while keeping your personal information private.

Virtual Phone Number for Craigslist

Below is a simple guide to obtaining a virtual phone number for Craigslist:

  1. Log in or create an account on the SMSOTPVERIFY.com platform using your email.
  2. Locate the “Top up my balance” button and use one of the available payment systems to make a deposit.
  3. Choose any mobile operator country and select the “Craigslist” service on the main page.
  4. Click the “Buy” button next to the selected service to add the phone number to the “History” section.
  5. Copy the number from the “History” section and use it to validate your account.
  6. When the system asks for a confirmation code, go back to SMSOTPVERIFY and click on “Receive SMS.”
  7. Enter the verification code to complete the verification process.

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