Part of the reason Craigslist uses the proxy email system is to prevent scams and the distribution of your private information. Scammers can doctor emails to look like theyre from a particular sender, such as Craigslist—so when in doubt, always contact the sender through Craigslist to verify.

Is it safe to respond to Craigslist emails?

Unfortunately, no such protection exists for those replying to posts. When you reply directly from Craigslist, your email address will be visible to the recipient. To reply anonymously, you need to create a free Web-based email address, which does not contain identifiable information.

How can you tell a fake Craigslist email?

Knowing how scammers respond to ads is helpful to both those posting the ad and for legitimate buyers to avoid looking like a scammer with their inquiries.Red Flag #1: Vague posting. Red Flag #2: Out of town. Red Flag #3: No negotiations. Red Flag #4: Offering extra money. Red Flag #5: Strange words or grammar.More items •25 Jan 2021

What can a Craigslist scammer do with your email?

If You Fall for the Craigslist Scam But the scammer can do a lot of damage while theyre in your email account, such as resetting the password for other accounts, contacting your friends with fake requests for money, and similar.