CraigsList Requiring PHONE Verification?

[Bongolation]

I bookmark some local CraigsList instrument searches for gear in which I'm interested. I've noticed just recently that the offerings have dropped of drastically, which I thought strange.

I decided to put an ad of my own and discovered that when I tried I got a page saying that I had to have a "CraigsList account" to post an ad now. I established an account with one of my e-mail addresses, then I get a page that says I have to go through phone verification to post an ad in "Musical Instruments."

For stinking CraigsList? No way! Well at least this explains the sudden dearth of gear ads!

Is this just a local thing or has this happened where you are?

[iamlowsound]

www.kijiji.com

lowsound

[Ampeg SVT]

I just posted two ads on CL, didnt require anything and I already have an account.

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by Bongolation

.... then I get a page that says I have to go through phone verification to post an ad in "Musical Instruments."

Too many scams?

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by Bongolation

Is this just a local thing or has this happened where you are?

Nope, didn't happen to me on the Seattle CL just now. Must just be for habitual scammers like you.

-Mike

[Gubna]

Yeah, had to deal with that last week, but I think it's only when you set up your account with them.
I heard this change happened due to all the prostitution on craigslist. They are trying to help the cops sting people. - and I'm thinking, why do they even have those listings?

[bassrique]

What if you only use a cell?

[Rattman]

Originally Posted by Ampeg SVT

I just posted two ads on CL, didnt require anything and I already have an account.

Whaaaa..? "Phone verification?" That's got a ominous ring to it for sure.. I just posted a craigslist ad not more than 5 minutes ago here in Orange County. Nothing new here anyway.

[Bongolation]

Originally Posted by Gubna

Yeah, had to deal with that last week, but I think it's only when you set up your account with them.

My account was set up without a number.

It only requested a number when I tried to post in Musical Instruments and that suggested to me that it was a category-specific requirement.

I haven't placed a CraigsList ad in over a year, and probably only did three or four, ever.

I heard this change happened due to all the prostitution on craigslist. They are trying to help the cops sting people. - and I'm thinking, why do they even have those listings?

Yeah, I agree -- that's just stupid and a stupid explanation because the whore listings apparently include numbers anyway and why do they have blatant prostitution categories ("Adult Services," I think it is) in the first place? What's that have to do with musical instruments or home furnishing or dog grooming categories?

There's probably somewhere on CraigsList that explains this, but I didn't immediately find it.

Seems to me like this is going to kill CraigsList if they don't reconsider. Seriously, my search hits are down at least 80%.