Craigslist caves to AG pressure

Does anyone think this will really curb prostitution?

“Craigslist, the Web’s largest classified advertising site, said on Wednesday that it would close its erotic services category, which critics have said is a forum that fosters prostitution and other illegal activities.

To replace it, the company has created a category called adult services, in which postings will be reviewed by employees who will look for indications of activity that is illegal or violates the site’s guidelines. The erotic services category would be deleted next Wednesday, Craigslist said.

Craigslist has been under increasing pressure from officials in several states, as violent crimes involving people who had made contact through the site made national headlines. But the changes did not appear to go far enough to satisfy everyone in the growing ranks of Craigslist’s detractors.”

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AGs aren’t suing phone co. for aiding prostitution

I like this argument as to why these suits against Craiglist are ridiculous:

“Craigslist’s very defensible position in a nut shell is… they tell people that they cannot use their site to engage in illegal activities, when people flag them for doing so they take their ads down, they can’t be held responsible for the fact that they can’t stop them completely. People use the phone to arrange prostitution engagements but the South Carolina AG isn’t suing the cellphone carriers to stop them.”

Posting courtsey Clarion Content:

Foreclosure websites order to close down

“In North Dakota, ForeclosureTown.com lists 853 properties in the Bismarck, North Dakota area and 675 properties in the Fargo, North Dakota area that it claims are in foreclosure. The pictures listed are not the actual pictures of the properties. According to North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, who made the announcement, the website listings are merely a ruse to sell memberships for a free 7-day trial period wherein consumers’ bank accounts or credit cards are automatically charged. Consumers cannot access any of the listings until they have purchased a membership. The entity also tries to enroll consumers in a “foreclosure school” for $297.”

I receive questions from victims of various scams or suspected scam about what they should do.  This article suggests the answer; start with your state’s attorney general’s office.  They are invested with the power to investigate consumer fraud.

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