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The Dark Side of Craigslist

June 10, 2009

by Michael Schwanke
Contact FactFinder 12 at 831-6166 or investigators@kwch.com

The selection is almost endless. Craigslist is popular, and for most users, it's beneficial. But, it has a dark side too. 

"It's amazing the amount of damage someone can do and what's scary is you can be an absolute innocent, non-participant in this stuff," says David Serling.

Serling found and traded for a computer on Craigslist. When it didn't work, he contacted the seller who Serling says began posting false for sale ads using his information. It didn't stop there.

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"He placed a personal ad in the man for man section. I had guys coming to my house wanting sex."

Crystal Horton has a similar story.

"They said you have an ad on Craigslist titled spreading it wide' listing yourself as a prostitute for $25," she says.

Horton blames her ex-boyfriend.  The ad was up for less than two hours, but the damage was done.

"I had over 50 texts and 100 phone calls."

So what you can do if you become a victim?

Report it to police.  It is harassment.  Craigslist also has a section to report abuse, but Serling says don't expect a quick response.

"I told them I wanted my information blocked. It's easy for them to do. It took days and days to get that accomplished," says Serling.

Both, Serling and Horton, called police and the investigations are ongoing. Still, both of them want you to know of yet another way you can become a victim on-line.

"The fact that anybody can post anything they want at anytime. It's never screened and you can put it up instantly but you have to have an act of congress to get it removed," says Serling.

Eyewitness News tried contacting Craigslist via e-mail but has not received a response.

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