Craigslist Scam Could Steal Your Identity

Craigslist may seem like a great way to meet new people, but it can also be a quick way to lose your identity. According to the Star Tribune, a 23-year-old Minneapolis man responded to a Craigslist ad for sex partners. When the couple from the ad arrived at his house, they didn't quite match the photo on the listing, but he still let them in.

The 23-year-old man was fooling around with the couple when the man from the ad asked to use his bathroom. After returning from the bathroom, the couple said they needed to get going and quickly left.

A while later, the man noticed that his wallet was missing. Weeks later he realized his identity had been stolen too.

Fraudulent charges had been made on the man's credit cards. His name had also been used on fake checks and had been passed all over the Twin Cities area. Collection agencies started contacting him trying to collect money from the bad checks. Gateway reported that someone had used his stolen credit card to purchase computers. The computers were shipped to a UPS store which had been rented in the victim's name. His credit rating was ruined in a matter of weeks.

The couple was later arrested in a hotel which was registered under the victim's name. Investigators found at least five other victims of this couple's craigslist scam.

Craiglist offers some safety tips when first meeting people from a Craigslist ad:

Always meet in a populated public place. Never agree to meet someone at their house, invite them to your house, or meet in a dark or isolated area.

You should always provide your own transportation. Never have strangers pick you up or accept their offer to bring you home.

Always tell a friend or family member who you are meeting, where you are going, and when you will be back.

Be sure to stay sober. Criminals often buy their victim's drinks to lower their inhibitions and cloud their thinking.

Have your cell phone with you at all times. If your cell phone is in your purse, don't let yourself get separated from your purse.

Keep an eye on your personal belongings at all times. Never leave your belongings behind when you use the restroom or go onto the dance floor.

Be aware that your drink can be drugged. Never drink anything that has been out of your sight for any amount of time.

If your belongings have been stolen, report it as quickly as possible. Call law enforcement and file a report. Report all lost or stolen documents, such as passports, driver license, credit cards and checks.

Notify your bank, credit card company and any other financial institution that may be affected. Tell them that you are concerned about the possibility of identity theft. You may need to close your accounts and open up new ones.

You should also change all of your PINS for your ATM and debit cards.

If you believe you are a victim of identity theft, call the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline toll-free: 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338) or visit their website.

Source:
Star Tribune: Sex ads on craigslist lead to loss of identity; by Dan Browning, April 25, 2008