Suspect held in Craigslist killing charged in 2nd crime - USATODAY.comParry Aftab makes it clear that the problem is not with craigslist, but with risks posed by any interaction with strangers. Inviting anyone into your home to check out your used sofa, buy a car or work as a nanny comes with risks. So does dating someone you don't know well. Do your homework. Check out the person on Google. Do they live where they say they do? Do they have a listed phone number? Google their email address, if they are using one. Call their local police department and ask if they are known to the department as being a problem or a good neighbor. Search for other ads they may have posted. Is the ad too good to be true? If so, move to the next one. No deal is that good! If you are interested in finding romance, check out wiredsafety's cyberromance tips (wiredsafety.org). Looking for a job or to hire? Meet in a public place, check out the business telephone numbers and see how long they have been in business. Ask for references and check them out and make sure it's a real reference, not just someone posing as someone else. Don't bring lots of cash with you to buy that hot tub unless you also bring a sumo wrestler friend or two. Don't take a check if you are releasing the good before it clears, and even then, some kiting schemes won't show a bad check for weeks.
Use your head. We get hurt when we get greedy, move too fast and forget what our moms taught us when we were in kindergarten.
It's buyer beware.
Now, go find that great deal on a hot tub on Craigslist, just be careful!
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