I just wrote a Craigslist (CL) ad last night. I said NO TEXT MESSAGES and to please reply by calling the supplied phone # only.
First thing within 12-hrs I receive a text from (856)-473-4667 asking "Still up 4 sale?".
Researching the number, it appears to actually originate very local, from a town about 12 miles from my home in southern New Jersey. But before I replied to the text, I decided to read a little more and found many others saying this 856-473-4667 phone number is a CL scammer.
I'm the latest victim. He said his name was Louis Vitale when I asked him. His last text message was the whole script about the overpayment. After that, no replies.
After a little research looks like area code 856 only has about 65 phone numbers. Appears they are all listed as telemarketers in Vineland New Jersey. Seems like it is a regular daily business activity for these people to try to scam people on Craiglist. You would think that possibly New Jersey authorities would get involved.