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97 of Top 100 Classified Sites Are Craigslist

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the newspapers-still-dying dept.

According to a recent report, 97 of the top 100 classified sites are just localized versions of Craigslist, up from 88 just last year. Combine that with a massive rise in traffic to classified sites in general and you have a recipe for one raging behemoth. "Craigslist isn't just crushing the newspaper industry and crowding out other classified sites. It's also taking an increasing slice of total U.S Internet traffic: the site's market share in February was up 90% year over year, accounting for about 2.5% of total US Web site visits."

2 of 193 comments (clear)

  1. Craigslist has a HUGE amount of scams. by Samschnooks · · Score: 5, Informative
    Top scams I've had to deal with on Craigslist:
    1. Bogus job postings to get personal info for identity theft (This is also happening on Monster, CareerBulder, etc...)
    2. The overpaying for items and asking for balance to be sent back via Western Union
    3. Bogus checks
    4. Folks overseas saying they have homes for rent.

    The old Western Union trick:

    You're selling an item for $1,000. Someone wanting to buy it sends you $2,000. They say "Oops!" could you send me the balance back to me via Western Union and I'll pick up the item later. You do so. Their original $2,000 check bounces and they have your $1,000. You're out $3,000 and YOU OWE IT, baby!

    The scam works many ways but it usually involves you sending a Western Union money gram or some other method where, once you send the money, it's gone. The renting overseas homes works similar to this.

    Jobs. Do not give personal information, DOB or SSN, until you've met them and you have verified they are actually an employer.

    Some employers, such as governments, insist on a SSN so they run you through Choicepoint, the credit bureaus and other Big Brother corporate entities before they will consider you for employment. I only get those forms when I'm on the interview. I wouldn't give the information to them unless you get an interview.

    You need to be very careful on Craigslist.

  2. Re:Good Game, "old media", it was mediocre... by dltaylor · · Score: 5, Informative

    Change your /. prefs. Other than the sometimes lame colors they use, I don't see any of that silliness, once I'm logged in.