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What is the scam? That the cheque won't clear? France must be one of the last countries to still use cheques and they are often refused, but at least there is

What is the scam? That the cheque won't clear? France must be one of the last countries to still use cheques and they are often refused, but at least there is a reasonable threat for the account owners whose cheque would not clear.

Tallain 2y ago
It's a very common scam to send a cashier's check for an amount + some extra, where you are expected to cash the check, keep the change, and return the amount. Later, the check will reverse, having been caught as a fraudulent check, and you're left on the hook for the entire original amount of the check.
- crazygringo 2y ago
  Just so everyone knows -- you should always be able to call the issuing bank to verify the legitimacy of a cashier's check. They can confirm whether the check exists for the given check number, date, and amount, and that it has not been cashed. (Also, Google the phone number for the bank, don't use a phone number listed on the check itself.) This is what makes cashier's checks fairly scam-free if you know that. (Also remember, this is about cashier's checks, not ordinary personal checks.) Of course this does require that you make your buyer wait while you phone the bank (and possibly do this during bank business hours), get put on hold, etc. And deal with the social discomfort of so obviously not trusting them. And then the risk of what might happen afterwards once you discover they are trying to scam you -- do they just go away or do they get violent or something? But if you tell them upfront that you'll be calling to verify the check when you meet, it's much more comfortable. Especially because if they're trying to pull the scam, they'll just give up and not meet in the first place. (Oh, and obviously never accept extra payment and then separately refund a difference. That's scam avoidance 101. If they even suggest that, stop talking to them.)
AlbertCory 2y ago
Cashier's checks are not the same as cash. If you're selling, you should always specify cash-only. Period, no exceptions. You can meet at a bank if you're nervous about having cash.
- BrandoElFollito 2y ago
  True, we have however in Europe a limitation on the amount you can pay by cash (3000€ ~ $3200). Some transactions are prohibited by cash (notably when you buy a house, but that would not be through a classified ad :))
  - AlbertCory 2y ago
    craigslist is a US company. "cashier's checks" are a US concept, AFAIK.

Tallain 2y ago

It's a very common scam to send a cashier's check for an amount + some extra, where you are expected to cash the check, keep the change, and return the amount. Later, the check will reverse, having been caught as a fraudulent check, and you're left on the hook for the entire original amount of the check.

crazygringo 2y ago
Just so everyone knows -- you should always be able to call the issuing bank to verify the legitimacy of a cashier's check. They can confirm whether the check exists for the given check number, date, and amount, and that it has not been cashed. (Also, Google the phone number for the bank, don't use a phone number listed on the check itself.) This is what makes cashier's checks fairly scam-free if you know that. (Also remember, this is about cashier's checks, not ordinary personal checks.) Of course this does require that you make your buyer wait while you phone the bank (and possibly do this during bank business hours), get put on hold, etc. And deal with the social discomfort of so obviously not trusting them. And then the risk of what might happen afterwards once you discover they are trying to scam you -- do they just go away or do they get violent or something? But if you tell them upfront that you'll be calling to verify the check when you meet, it's much more comfortable. Especially because if they're trying to pull the scam, they'll just give up and not meet in the first place. (Oh, and obviously never accept extra payment and then separately refund a difference. That's scam avoidance 101. If they even suggest that, stop talking to them.)

AlbertCory 2y ago

Cashier's checks are not the same as cash. If you're selling, you should always specify cash-only. Period, no exceptions. You can meet at a bank if you're nervous about having cash.

BrandoElFollito 2y ago
True, we have however in Europe a limitation on the amount you can pay by cash (3000€ ~ $3200). Some transactions are prohibited by cash (notably when you buy a house, but that would not be through a classified ad :))
- AlbertCory 2y ago
  craigslist is a US company. "cashier's checks" are a US concept, AFAIK.