Craigslist phone authentication

BWR1953

Admiral
Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
6,278
HUH?

I posted an ad this morning in one section on craigslist and it went through normally. Tried posting another ad in a different section for a different item and was requested to provide my phone number for verification before the ad would post. Obviously, I didn't proceed.

I cleared all my cookies and files, restarted my computer and ran 2 different malware programs which found nothing. Then I logged back in to try posting the ad again and was once again required to enter a phone number before posting. Nope, wasn't going to do that.

Is this legit? Something new?

Seems like a scam to me, but I haven't found a way around it yet.

Thoughts?
 

ufm82

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 29, 2003
Messages
827
Re: Craigslist phone authentication

I just posted a few things on Sunday and saw the verification notice. I also dumped it right away and tried again. Got the same message so I called the number listed and it gave me a code to enter. I did so and the as posted. OK, so if it's a scam I fell for it but my stuff posted and was sold within a day. Shame on me if I got burned but I don't see how. I didn't have to go to my e-mail account to check for an e-mail from Craigslist to post the ad so maybe this is easier for them...

UFM82
 

BWR1953

Admiral
Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
6,278
Re: Craigslist phone authentication

I just posted a few things on Sunday and saw the verification notice. I also dumped it right away and tried again. Got the same message so I called the number listed and it gave me a code to enter. I did so and the as posted. OK, so if it's a scam I fell for it but my stuff posted and was sold within a day. Shame on me if I got burned but I don't see how. I didn't have to go to my e-mail account to check for an e-mail from Craigslist to post the ad so maybe this is easier for them...

UFM82
Hmmm.... the screen I got didn't give me a number to call. It requested MY number.

Curioser and curioser this becomes.
 

BuzzStPoint

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
May 27, 2009
Messages
1,003
Re: Craigslist phone authentication

Wonder if it has to do with location.

I just posted an ad 5 minutes ago..
Just the normal Recaptcha code.
 

Beefer

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 4, 2008
Messages
1,737
Re: Craigslist phone authentication

Try using a different email for the second post. It may be a way for them to cut back on the scam ads, if the poster has to provide some truthful info. It seems legit though. Just did a search about it, and there is some (limited) info on CL about it.
 

JustJason

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 27, 2007
Messages
5,321
Re: Craigslist phone authentication

I'm fairly certain it's legit. I've posted a few cars among other things on CL, and when you hit a certain dollar amount it asks you for a phone number.

Of course... I always list/give the number of Dunstable PD whenever I think something might be a scam.
 

Isaacm1986

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
May 20, 2009
Messages
1,086
Re: Craigslist phone authentication

It is legit,

Craigslist is trying to control the amount of spam and scammers on craigslist. They are moving towards people having free accounts to be able to post for sale on craigslist. I had to do this a couple weeks ago, and all my add's have been posted on the craigslist website just fine.
 

Mark SF

Seaman
Joined
Jul 15, 2010
Messages
63
Re: Craigslist phone authentication

You've been able to create an account for years. I've had one for years. All your recent ads appear in your account and can be renewed, cancelled, edited from there. Makes life much easier, especially the one click renew.

I would see it as a great thing if everyone who posted had to create an account, with full info such as a valid address and phone number. It would cut down on spam a lot.
 

BWR1953

Admiral
Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
6,278
Re: Craigslist phone authentication

You've been able to create an account for years. I've had one for years. All your recent ads appear in your account and can be renewed, cancelled, edited from there. Makes life much easier, especially the one click renew.

I would see it as a great thing if everyone who posted had to create an account, with full info such as a valid address and phone number. It would cut down on spam a lot.
I was already logged in to my account, which I've had for years. The first ad went through normally but during the process for posting the 2nd ad, I was prompted to enter a phone number. Seemed very odd to me that the process changed while I was still logged in and posting ads.

Even if it is legit, I wouldn't be surprised if craigslist started selling phone numbers tied to email addresses.
 

BWR1953

Admiral
Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
6,278
Re: Craigslist phone authentication

How very odd. I was able to place the ad successfully this morning in the barter section without having to give a phone number.

Hmmm...
 
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