If you have ever placed an ad online to sell anything, then you have probably come across Craigslist. Craigslist is a world-renowned advertisement website whose operations span over 70 countries and have about 50 million users. Through the site, users can view and place ads for jobs, household items, used cars, etc. Craigslist allows its customers to place ads online but they have to bypass the phone verification step. Some people may not be comfortable sharing this personal information, especially at a time when privacy is such a huge concern in the United States.
Why phone verification?
Craigslist requires all users to verify their identity using this approach to filter out any scammers. Since it has a reach of over 50 million people, it is a feeding ground for fraudsters waiting to scam unsuspecting folk. In addition to weeding out scammers, the phone verification process gives Craigslist control when it comes to the kind of content that is being published on their website. They can easily track ads that go against the terms and conditions and effectively remove spammers.
The phone verification process
The verification process is simple. Once you have created the ad and attached the relevant images, selecting the `post’ option brings up the phone verification window. In this window, you will be required to input your phone number and choose an option to verify it. This can be in the form of a text message or an automated call. After you have made your choice, and have selected the `send verification code’ button, you will almost immediately receive a code either through call or text message. Typing it in the code textbox and clicking on submit should complete the process.
What happens if you do not receive the code?
In this instance, you will select `try again’ and go over the process once more. It may be important to note that each user gets to try out 3 different phone numbers within 12 hours. The phone number also has to include a U.S region code before you can proceed with the verification.
Bypassing phone verification
Most people are not comfortable sharing their phone numbers, which is understandable. There are so many risks associated with having this information available to everyone on the website, from the annoying unwanted promotional messages that flood your inbox to potentially connecting with a possible criminal. Luckily there are ways to bypass the phone verification step that we will look at in-depth.
Methods of bypassing phone verification
Google voice.
Burner phones.
Using a friend/relative’s phone number.
Fake phone numbers
This method is hardly new, though its effectiveness may not be 100% reliable. All you would have to do is look up websites that offer this service. A quick `how to use fake phone numbers for verification’ search should give you several results. These websites permit you to select temporary phone numbers that you can use for verification. They can receive the verification code via SMS and provide it to you to complete the process.
Google voice
This option enables users to verify their phone numbers using the google voice service. Through google voice number, users can verify their identity without actually giving out their phone numbers. This option, however, does not work for Craigslist.
Burner phones
Burner phones provide the most security because they require no contract and do not keep any user’s personal information. Other than the high cost associated with acquiring a burner phone, it is the most effective method to bypass phone verification.
Using a friend/relative’s phone number
If you know anyone who does not mind sharing their phone number, you could ask to use theirs to verify your account.
Conclusion
Using a fake phone number service is the most efficient and cost-effective method of bypassing the craigslist phone verification step. Using the steps listed in this article, you can verify your account and get started on posting those ads!
Frequently asked questions
- What happens if a scammer gets my phone number from Craigslist?
Acquiring your phone number could give scammers access to your financial accounts, email, and personal data, thereby putting your money and identity at risk.
- How can you identify a scammer on craigslist?
Most times, these scammers grab the attention of users by selling purchase protection. Craigslist does not support any purchases on its website. They may also request you to check your voicemail for promotions or new deals. Kindly note that Craigslist does not have any voicemail.
- What if someone requests to send me a verification code on Craigslist?
Stop any form of communication with this person and block them immediately. Craigslist does not offer any such service. Once you enter the code, the scammers will have access to all your personal information.
- Why can’t I verify my phone number on Craigslist?
There are various reasons that this could happen. You could review your phone number to make sure it is correct. If that does not work, checking your internet connection is the next option. If both of these fail, you could try with a different phone number.
