(Alexandra Panzer @ yahoo.com) You really can find everything on Craigslist.org, like amazing deals — and also scams, crooks, and dangerous situations. 

Last month, one Michigan woman went to buy a car she discovered on Craigslist and found herself being robbed at gunpoint, for example, and a Connecticut man was arrested for allegedly selling phony Justin Bieber concert tickets to unsuspecting Craigslist users. 

Craigslist crime isn’t going anywhere, unfortunately, but there are some basic steps you can take to ensure both your safety and privacy.

Craigslist is a fantastic place to find everything from old furniture to exercise equipment to home appliances, so shop smart and don’t be scared off!

1. When browsing for products, avoid these red flags

sellers who post product photos pulled from the Internet instead of shots they have taken themselves
egregious errors in spelling and grammar that could have been generated by a bot
outrageous deals that are simply too good to be true
messages from auto-generated email accounts (i.e., addresses that look like this: “kydixororaqep”)

2. Do the research

Ask detailed questions about the product you want to buy over multiple emails or calls. This gives you information about the product and helps you gauge whether the product is real and the seller has firsthand knowledge of it.

Find out what your product is worth. Search similar listings on Craigslist, or search “completed listings” on eBay to see how much similar products have sold for.

Research the seller. Type the seller’s name, email address, address, or phone number into White Pages, Google, Facebook, or even Craigslist to verify that he or she is a real seller and that there aren’t any existing complaints lodged against her or him.

3. Simple steps for a safe exchange of goods

Local police stations across the country have started offering their lobbies and parking lots as Craigslist “safe zones” for wary users looking to secure the in-person aspect of their online purchase. If there’s one in your area, take advantage.

Meet in person and try to meet in public.

4. Payment “don’ts” to avoid having your money or identity stolenExchange only cash.

Test the product. If you are buying electronics, make sure you meet somewhere with electrical outlets.

Bring a friend.

Do not allow a buyer or seller to change the location of your exchange at the last minute.

4. Payment “don’ts” to avoid having your money or identity stolen

Do not wire funds.
Do not accept cashier checks, certified checks, or money orders.
Do not give out your bank info.
Refuse background or credit checks.