Scam

[gypsynomad]

I posted an rv for sale.
Someone claims they will send will send me a cashiers check for the purchase. Is this safe?

[norty1]

If it was on Craigslist tell them to bring cash.

I would steer away from that sale.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by gypsynomad

i posted an rv for sale.
Someone claims they will send will send me a cashiers check for the purchase. Is this safe?

run run run.....

[JFlightRisk]

Two cashier's check scams that I remember reading about were outright fake checks, and the buyer claiming to have one made out for more than the purchase price by "accident" and wanting you to reimburse them the difference. Be careful, and I agree you'd be better off for them to bring cash.

[Marcm157]

If they can get a cashiers check they have access to cash...

[The Gritz Carlton]

I wouldn't sell anything big to anyone unless it's an "in bank transaction" or cash on the barrel head.

[SmokerBill]

The only way I'd take payment for an RV sale is to go with the buyer to his/hers bank and get the cash from the teller, or have it deposited to my bank account from theirs. I'm not savvy enough these days to be able to determine if cash is counterfeit or not when someone is handing me many thousands of dollars in greenbacks.

And yes, what you're describing is a common scam.

[Riich]

I don't know about cashiers checks but I will take a personal check. AFTER it clears the bank they can have the item. I just did this with a $12000 motorcycle.

My bank tells me after 5 days you are in the clear.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Marcm157

If they can get a cashiers check they have access to cash...

But it's a fake cashier's check. This scam has been going on for years.

Here's one article.

https://dfi.wa.gov/financial-educati...rs-check-scams

[TWP723]

Contact the bank that supposedly issued the check to verify.

[Marcm157]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

But it's a fake cashier's check. This scam has been going on for years.

Here's one article.

https://dfi.wa.gov/financial-educati...rs-check-scams

Agreed - I have investigated many cases of fraud involving these. If it were a legit check the person could easily obtain cash in place of the live check...

[mrmom]

Agreed that there are too many scams and fake checks out there, but there are ways to do these transactions safely and with little risk.

My brother just went through this when he bought his used Newmar motor coach last month. Neither he nor the seller wanted to deal with $53000 in cash, so he got a cashier's check from the bank. Both parties agreed that he would not pick up the coach until the check cleared the seller's bank and was deposited. Protects both parties and does not require carrying around a briefcase full of money!

[Mikayles]

Common Craigslist scam....RUN

[Markb5900]

I’ve sold a few rv’s and always met at my bank so they could verify an electronic funds transfer was completed.
I’ve never given the option of using a check.

[nfisherman]

I sold a car online once. A guy sent me a cashier’s check. I deposited it in my account. He changed his mind and withdrew the money from my account. I didn’t know that could be done but he did it. I’ll never accept anything but cash from a stranger for any kind of vehicle.

[CAG]

So if you fall for this scam and several others that are out there you need to be spending more time reading.



Basically, if they want to send you a check, they are going to send you a check for more than you asked and ask you to sent the excess back, big mistake.
Or they are going to send you a check that is worthless, and get you to deposit it and that will fail and you have given up your, whatever, and now have nothing because the bank calls you and says the check bounced.



If you fall for these rouses you need to be scammed because there is so much information out there about these that there is no reason for this to happen.


Sorry, but wake up!

[Riich]

Originally Posted by nfisherman

I sold a car online once. A guy sent me a cashier’s check. I deposited it in my account. He changed his mind and withdrew the money from my account. I didn’t know that could be done but he did it. I’ll never accept anything but cash from a stranger for any kind of vehicle.

I don't know that anybody can withdraw funds from your account without your consent. He likely stopped payment.

[nfisherman]

Originally Posted by Riich

I don't know that anybody can withdraw funds from your account without your consent. He likely stopped payment.

Perhaps, but I didn’t know you could stop payment after the check was cashed. I cashed the check and I saw the amount in my account. A couple of days later, he got the money back out of my account. He emailed me and said he changed his mind on the price and asked if I would take a lower price.

Karma got him, though. My car was a ‘67 Mustang. Another guy offered me $2,000 more because he really wanted it. He paid cash. The first guy got mad at me because I left him hanging. ;-)

[Pfflyer]

I met at the purchaser's bank and got a certified check that I watched the process of it being made. The only safe way for the buyer and seller that I can think of.

[OnTheGo]

Originally Posted by Pfflyer

I met at the purchaser's bank and got a certified check that I watched the process of it being made. The only safe way for the buyer and seller that I can think of.

That would work.

We have had more than a few private RV and car sales. We think the fee of a wire transfer is worth the peace-of-mind; but you still have to wait to know the money is in your account - even after the transfer is made.