How do you tell if it's a scam or not?

[Bird]

As I mentioned earlier, the cops are not the least bit interested in catching these people.

I can assure you that you're absolutely wrong about their lack of interest. But there's definitely a lack of resources, training, and ability to investigate and prosecute such crimes.

 

[cp1969]

However you choose to describe it, the cops aren't going to do anything.

 

[Larry239]

They can get a real check from that bank and make fake copies of it to send out to 100 different people with a fake signature on those copies. Over the phone the bank will say it is a good check because they can't see it to tell it is a copy with a fake signature and they are just verifying the real check that you don't have. After a few days they can cash the real check and meanwhile the fake checks will bounce.

I have accepted hundreds of cashiers checks. As I mentioned before I have yet to be burned because I verify each one with the issuing branch. I never thought of or heard of this variation of the scam. But how simple and easy to pull off.
The Bank I use issues laser printed cashier checks generated from the computer. When you call to verify you can verify who it was made out to, in what a amount, and which teller issued it. Of course it can be copied but what good is it to change the "payable to" when the issuing bank has that on file.
One problem lies with the banks stuck in the stone age. Still issuing cashier checks typed or handwritten. Records are kept on a clipboard. Also in todays age of instant information why does it take two weeks plus to notify you when a check is bogus??

 

[tallyho8]

I have found many other high tech ways that scammers operate. I hesitate to give too many details in these posts because I don't want to teach people how to scam. So far I have found that wire transfer is the safest way for you to receive money but one of the most dangerous ways to send it for that same reason. Just remember "too good to be true" is the first sign to look for.
Many people don't give their intuition enough credit. Your intuition and common sense can save you a lot of grief.

 

[stumpfield]

Thanks for all the comments. I went into the bank and talk to a branch manager and leanred there's really no way to be 100% sure a cashier's check is real. The bank will except my deposit. If the check turn out to be fake, they will void the deposit. As simple as that. In some cases, even a bank teller can not authenticate the cashier's check. That's why they check IDs and even finger print when you cash a check at the issueing bank. Here's advice I got from the branch manager:

1. Know the person you are dealling with. Check IDs/address and make sure the cashier's check was purchased by the person you are dealing with and is payable to you for the exact amount. Absolutely no third party dealing. (most scammer don't want to do this... not only they have to create a fake check, they have to make fake IDs too. They don't want to deal with you directly.)

2. Don't even bother to verify the cashier's check if you can't satisfy #1. No deal period. Call the issueing bank and verify the issue date, amount and remitter. Everything must match exactly. The issue date should be very close to the transaction date. Noboby would keep a cashier check sitting around waiting for something to buy. If the issue date is too old, tell the buyer to get a new cashier's check.

3. Only accept the check in-person and from the actual person you are dealing with (the person you sold the product to, the same person who purchased the check and the same person here to pickup the product and hand you the check.) Nobody else.

If they can't satify #1,2&3. Tell them to send you the check with exact amount and wait at least 10 days to clear. Otherwise, no deal.

 

[MarkV]

I keep thinking about this and see how it is a problem for a buyer and a seller. As a buyer I don’t want to carry 10’s of thousands of dollars cash with me and as a seller I’d now be afraid to let something go when it will be days before I am 100% sure a cashiers check is good.

Is this possible? Would a bank let me open an account over the phone or by mail so I could make a wire transfer to that account? It would seem to me that as a buyer I could then have verifiable funds at the bank of the seller and access cash during business hours if the sale went through. It would require a trip to the bank but everyone would be protected. If the sale did not go through the money could be transferred back to my bank and the account closed.

What do you think? Is that a workable solution?

MarkV

 

[3RRL]

Why don't you contact the buyer and tell him to send the cashier's check or any check for that matter, so you can deposit it and verify that it has cleared...your NEW POLICY due to the scammers out there. Then have him come by in 2 weeks and pick up his merchandise. Hopefully he will understand and do it that way.

 

[Richard]

When I've sold a couple things on ebay, I've asked for a postal money order. Then, rather than taking the (possibly forged?) money order to my bank, I take it to the post office.

I figure if they find it to be a fake, I still got the merchandies. If they cash it, they'll hand the dollar bills over to me and I'll take the cash to my bank.

So far I've never had an issue but I've only done a couple. I can see it now with my 'bad' luck... someone will send me a bogus postal money order, I'll go to post office to cash it, they'll find it to be a fake & arrest ME.

 

[Richard]

As far as the 10K IRS deal, just make two deposits, no problem.

First, I think the offer about the cashiers check is bogus.
Second, breaking up the money and making two cash deposits won't necessarily get them off your back. I'm not in "banking" per se' so I can't speak to their routine, but I am in the brokerage business and we as an industry are hammered to look out for specifically that kind of deposit.

The basic program is to look for any/all cash deposits totaling 10K "OR NEAR 10K" over a 12 month period.

Putting in 9,500 can also get you scruteny by our back office. Maybe not the bank, I don't know.

I just wanted to raise a flag there that splitting cash deposits up doesnt necessarily put them under the radar.

 

[tallyho8]

Why don't you contact the buyer and tell him to send the cashier's check or any check for that matter, so you can deposit it and verify that it has cleared...your NEW POLICY due to the scammers out there. Then have him come by in 2 weeks and pick up his merchandise. Hopefully he will understand and do it that way.

This way protects the seller but not the buyer. If the seller is the scammer, he won't be there in 2 weeks when the buyer comes by to pick up their merchandise.

We need a system that works for both the buyer and the seller.