Craigslist is an easy, affordable and convenient way to find products, but safety should always be the number one concern while browsing the website.
For Turlock residents trying to find jobs, housing, products or services in their area, Craigslist can be a useful tool. However, predators and scammers thrive in the online community, and it is important to keep this in mind when looking to make a purchase or trade.
On March 26 an attempt to sell a pair of tennis shoes ended with a shooting after the would-be buyers tried to pay the sellers with counterfeit cash, according to the Turlock Police Department.
After realizing they had been paid with fake money, the sellers attempted to recover the shoes and were met with gunfire. Although no one was hit in the shooting, it resulted in a high-speed chase on Highway 99 that ended with the two suspects being taken into custody. What was supposed to be a simple transaction took a turn for the worst, almost costing the sellers their lives.
Here are some safety tips to help ensure a safe and profitable experience when using Craigslist:

•  Never give out personal contact information. Craigslist gives its users the option to either use their real email address or a Craigslist-provided proxy email address. Using the Craigslist-provided proxy email address is a good idea for those who wish to preserve their anonymity throughout the entire transaction, which can help keep spammers and scammers from getting access to their real email address. Try not to reveal a personal phone number or home address.

• Always arrange a public rendezvous. Meeting the prospective buyer/seller in a public place is the safest way to avoid an attack of any kind. Sergeant Matt Dillon of the California State University, Stanislaus Police Department suggested the parking lot in front of the Public Safety Building as a safe spot to do business on campus. This area is monitored by surveillance cameras and often nearby is a University Police Officer. “Parking lots, shopping centers; the more people, the better,” Dillon said. “Anywhere busy will be the safest place.”

• Take a buddy along. It is always a good idea to bring a friend when traveling to a seller’s home to pick up a purchase. Having another person can reduce the risk of being placed into an uncomfortable or dangerous situation. Being alone in a stranger’s home is never a good idea, and having another person provides having a witness to any transaction, which can come in handy if something were to go wrong.

• Accept or pay only with cash. When accepting a cashier’s check or money order, many fall victim to a common Craigslist scam that involves depositing a fake money order into an account and leaving nothing for the transaction. Also, when paying, make sure to be careful using a personal check. There is a possibility of the seller harvesting the checking account information, which could then be used for fraudulent purposes. Also remember to carefully examine any received cash to make sure that it is not counterfeit.

• Tell a friend or family member the transaction location. If anything happens, it is important that they know the meeting spot so if need be, they can help more quickly and efficiently. Also remember to always bring a cell phone in order to call for help if the situation becomes dangerous or uncomfortable.

Most Craigslist transactions take place without a hitch, but occasionally they can go terribly wrong. Spoiled Craigslist deals are a common occurrence. Dangerous incidents related to Craigslist not only happen locally, but all over the country every day.
According to a 2011 study by the consulting firm AIM Group, Craigslist was linked to 330 U.S. crimes over the course of a year.
With the proper safety precautions, Craigslist can be a secure, profitable and even fun way to shop. However, knowing what to do if things become unsafe is important. Keeps these tips in mind when using Craigslist to ensure an enjoyable
experience.