Why do people list their numbers like this on CL?

[3timesoccermom]

On Craigslist I see a bunch listings done in this fashion:

Email or text XXX - TWO NINE ONE - 4 7 3 6

Call/Text: EightXX-Seven05-One870

Email or text XXX-324-two two zero six

Why?

(I replaced the actual area codes with XXX's.)

[everprincess]

Because some people make everything diffcult. Believe me I know I work with them everyday!

[amylynne01]

So spammers can't get to them as easily.

[Gnorga]

I don't think you're supposed to put your actual phone number on CL ads.
If they sneak them in like that, they won't be automatically deleted by their software

[Merczilla]

To try to avoid bots and spiders. You can list your phone number, there's no rule against that. It's like your email addy that you list as "abcd at xyz dot com". Spammers get you anyway. lol

[3timesoccermom]

Thanks to all for the replies.

maradee - sorry but I know this isn't true. I've always put our phone number in and some people that place ads don't want to be contacted via email.

You can put your real email in or you can choose to make it anonymous - that may be what you're thinking of.

I don't think you're supposed to put your actual phone number on CL ads.
If they sneak them in like that, they won't be automatically deleted by their software

Merczilla - I think you're correct as I've seen lots of people say things about being spammed on there and wanting to avoid it. I don't know what bots or spiders are or how they work. Can you elaborate a little?

[Gnorga]

Craigslist will not allow people to openly put phone numbers in the PERSONAL section of the site. I didn't know if this carried over to other posting areas, I guess not.

But no, phone numbers are a no go in the Personal/adult part of craigslist.
I remember having a very similar discussion with a few friends after the Craigslist Killer and we tried it out.

[amylynne01]

There are programs designed to simply search the internet for phone numbers or emails that people have posted. The programs can be used by spammers. I know that at HCW we encourage people not to post any of that info because of this reason as well as privacy. If a poster continues to post the info once the risk has been mentioned to them, they are fair game to whoever is trolling the internet!

[3timesoccermom]

Ha ha!! Well no wonder!! My daughter and I were looking for used college texts in the BOOKS section, not the personal ads.

Craigslist will not allow people to openly put phone numbers in the PERSONAL section of the site. I didn't know if this carried over to other posting areas, I guess not.

But no, phone numbers are a no go in the Personal/adult part of craigslist.
I remember having a very similar discussion with a few friends after the Craigslist Killer and we tried it out.

amylynne01 - thanks for the explanation.

[aimeebee]

Spiders and bots are little creepers (web crawlers) that go all around the world wide web searching for peoples private info. If you put it in an unusual format it makes it harder for the little buggers to find your number or address.