Craigslist provides an online forum for user discussion and classifieds and has 700 local sites in 70 countries around the world. Unfortunately, some users also use the site to post fraudulent advertisements and commit fraud in violation of country and region laws. If you have been the victim of a classifieds scam on Craigslist, you can report the fraud to the authorities in your area, region, and country.
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Method 1 of 4: Reporting to Craigslist
Step 1. Learn how to spot ads that contain scams
Craigslist has a page within the “about” menu that lists the types of requests to watch out for and how to avoid scams.
- Specifically, Craigslist warns you not to pay anyone you've never met in person, or rent or buy anything on Craigslist without seeing the item first.
- Be wary of anyone asking for financial information such as a bank account or credit card number, or anyone asking for information to run a credit check or background check.
Step 2. Review Craigslist's Terms of Use
As a Craigslist user, you and the creator of the fraudulent ad have agreed to these terms.
These terms of use explain that Craigslist has the right to change the use of and access to its site. If you report a user, and Craigslist believes he or she is indeed a fraud, they can shut down their account or block their IP address
Step 3. Bookmark ads
If the ad is still active, you can click the link that says “prohibited” at the top of the ad to flag the content.
In general, Craigslist is a community-run site. However, if enough users mark a free classified ad as a violation, the ad will be removed automatically
Step 4. Contact Craigslist
Craigslist has a message form that you can fill out to directly report fraudulent ads to the company.
- The Craigslist contact form is available at www.craigslist.org/contact?step=form&reqType=abuse_scam.
- You must enter your name and email address, and describe the activity and ID number of the post.
Method 2 of 4: Reporting to Local Law Enforcement Agencies
Step 1. Find out about the laws of your area
The police will only investigate activity that violates their jurisdiction's criminal laws, so find out what county laws apply to fraud and make sure they apply to your case.
- The specifications vary from region to region, but in general the perpetrator has lied or misrepresented factual information that leads you to give money or other benefits. For the crime of fraud, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the person knows that the information he or she has provided is false, but still lies to gain an unfair advantage.
- For example, a Craigslist scam involves false advertising of rental homes. The criminal found homes for sale on a housing website and copied the information for Craigslist ads and used his own email address. When interested prospective tenants contacted him about the ad, he explained he had to leave the United States quickly-often because of missionary work or other work in Africa. Then he instructs the person to send the first and last month's deposit overseas. Of course the house is not available for rent and the person who sent the money may never receive word from the “owner of the house”.
Step 2. Gather information about the incident
With a basic understanding of what to prove to prosecute a fraud case, make a copy of your email or other information that can help the police and prosecutors.
- Since the person is trying to trick you, it's likely that he or she will give you a fake name or use a fake email account. However, you should still keep records of all correspondence and any information you receive throughout the transaction.
- Keep in mind that fraud is essentially theft through a ploy, so proving intent to cheat is crucial in any fraud case. If the person is not aware that the information he has provided is false, he cannot be prosecuted for fraud.
- For example, let's say you reply to a Craigslist classified ad posted by someone who offers him his 2005 Volkswagen Beetle for $12 million. In the ad, he stated the vehicle had no mechanical problems. However, after buying the car, you take it to a repair shop and find the transmission broken. The seller is not guilty of fraud unless it can be proven that he knows the transmission of the car needs repair and deliberately lied about it to get more money on the car from you.
Step 3. Contact your local police agency
Go to the nearest police station or call the police non-emergency number to report fraudulent activity.
- In some areas, you may also be able to fill out an online form to file a police report. If you are in the United States, contact information for most law enforcement agencies is available at
- When reporting to an operator or police officer, provide a detailed chronological description of all incidents or communications that occurred between you and the perpetrator. Provide as much detail as you can and submit any documents you have, such as copies of email correspondence, to the police station.
Step 4. Get a copy of the police report for you to keep
Once the official report is complete, ask for a copy and note the report or reference number in case you need it for other reports.
If you are filing an insurance claim or need to report a financial loss to a bank or credit card company, having a police report number can be useful
Step 5. Work with investigators
While the police are investigating the fraudulent activity, you may need to provide them with more information about the ad or your interaction with the perpetrator.
Keep all original documents or electronic files in case investigators need to examine or use them as evidence. If you have an email with the perpetrator, you should keep the original file, if you can, because the email contains header information that can be used to track the sender's location
Method 3 of 4: Reporting to the FBI
Step 1. Gather information about the incident
Before you start reporting, compile a copy of the email or other pertinent information you wish to provide to the FBI.
- To submit a complaint, you must enter your name and contact information as well as information about the individual or place of business responsible for the fraud and details such as the date and location of the important incident.
- If you have already filed a report with your local law enforcement agency, you can use the same information. The FBI will need similar details including your name and contact information, as well as any names and contact information you know about the perpetrator, as well as what happened from your perspective and why you believe a fraud was committed.
Step 2. Visit the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) website
The FBI operates a website for reporting internet crimes including fraud on Craigslist ads.
IC3 will review the complaint and forward it to the state, territory or local agency with jurisdiction over the subject matter of the complaint. The agencies will then investigate further and bring charges if necessary
Step 3. Click the button to file a complaint
Once you are ready to begin the complaint process, click to accept the FBI privacy policy and enter your information.
You must also read and agree that all the information you submit is correct to the best of your knowledge. If you enter incorrect information in your complaint, you may be criminally prosecuted under state law and subject to fines or imprisonment
Step 4. Complete the complaint form
Follow the prompts to enter the correct information. You can also attach documents that support your complaint.
- The form includes several sections asking about yourself, the individual or place of business responsible for the fraud, and the loss of money or property you have suffered.
- Make sure you read all of the information you include in your complaint before submitting it to verify and ensure that anyone reading it can follow the sequence of events.
Step 5. Submit a complaint
You will receive a confirmation email when your complaint has been received.
Your confirmation email includes a unique complaint ID number and password that can be used if you need to add information to your complaint or want to download or print a PDF copy for storage
Step 6. Follow up on your complaint
Although IC3 does not conduct its own investigation of complaints, you can use your ID and password to check their status.
If your complaint is forwarded to law enforcement agencies, an officer or investigator may contact you directly to obtain your story or a copy of any evidence you have. You must retain copies of any documents attached to your IC3 complaint
Method 4 of 4: Reporting to the Federal Trade Commission
Step 1. Go to the FTC Complaint Assistant website
The FTC has a website for you to easily file a complaint about fraudulent activity on the internet.
- While the FTC does not resolve individual complaints, they will review your information and place it into a database available to law enforcement officials across the country.
- This website also has information and tips so you can get your money back and avoid scams in the future.
Step 2. Select your complaint category
Depending on the nature of the activity, your complaint may fall under the “identity theft” or “fraud and theft” category. You can also use categories for internet services, which include online purchases.
Each category has more sub-categories to further identify the core issue of your complaint
Step 3. Enter details about the fraud case
After selecting the right category, write a description of your ad and your communication with the user who sent the post.
- To complete an FTC complaint, you must enter your name and contact information, as well as the name and any other contact information you know about the perpetrator.
- While you do not need to provide any contact information and can remain anonymous, if you do not enter your information, the FTC or other agencies will not be able to contact you in case of further investigation.
Step 4. Review your complaint
Upon completion, there will be an opportunity for you to review your complaint in its entirety and confirm that the information you have provided is complete and accurate.
- If you want to change or add to the information you provided, you can go back and edit individual sections.
- Once you are satisfied with your answer, you can print a summary of your complaint to save before submitting it.
Step 5. Submit your complaint to the FTC
Once satisfied with the content of your complaint, click the button to submit it.
