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.
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.
Post an item to sell on Craigslist (CL). I receive a text from (856)-473-4667 asking "Still up 4 sale?". Asked me for my name and address to mail me a money order even my ad say cash only. I really believe that this is a scam artist.
This is a scammer. My craigslist ad said cash only. When they texted asking if my item was "still up 4 sale?", I was suspicious so I replied "Yes. Cash only, in person pickup (no checks, no western union, no money orders). Thanks in advance for your cooperation.". Without seeing the item in person and no questions, clearly having not read my response, they replied that pickup would be arranged after I received payment, then asking for the details to where they could send the money order. BLOCKED!
Scammer Alert -- This guy passes off BOGUS money orders, He gets your nu from Craigslist for ex, then he tells you he will buy your item (a low priced item) with no questions asked. He send you 1 or 2 very over the amt m.o. Then tells you to deposit them and as soon as the check clears to send him the difference; so he wants you to deposit them and withdraw the difference to send to him.
THE PROBLEM : you deposit the m.o., it clears within 2 days , so you take the money out that you owe him and send it to him. The BANK then discovers after 1 week or so that the m.o's were fraud and will take the money out of your acct for the Bogus m.o. NOW you are out of the money you sent to the scammer.
I called moneygram and the m.o. numbers were legitimate but the TRUE m.o. were paid out within the past 1-2 months and were for lower amounts then were displayed on the Fake m.o.