Where's the hook?

K

KnottyBuoyz

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If something sounds too good to be true it usually is. As some of you know we tested the waters and listed our boat for sale on a few bulletin boards and Craigslist. Now I didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday but I've got one guy who wants to send me a cheque for the full asking price, sight unseen. Scam right? Yup, I'm sure of it.

Where's the hook? I get the cheque, cash it, a week later it bounces and my account gets nailed for that and the NSF charges. So where's the boat? There's no way in hell it's leaving my dooryard until I know the funds are legit, right? I'd like to tell him to GFYS but on the very slim chance he's legit it'd be nice to get full asking price now.
 
Wired funds to an account created for that purpose and then closed are the only way to be safe. a bank or cashiers check may well be phony and you may not know for a weeks. Banks will credit your account when things seem ok but later bill you if something is wrong. You will always take the loss, never the bank, regardless of anything you may hear.
 
I noticed you are in Canada, your laws may be different but I'll bet banks are not when it comes to who eats any problem. Ask a bank manager what is a foolproof way to be certain you are paid.
 
I like the 'ask the bank manager' idea. Unless we have a banker type here - entirely likely, as we seem to have at least one of everything else represented in our 20,000+ membership here - they'd likely know best how to ensure the funds are legitimate.
 
typical scam... cashiers check will be fake and by the time it comes back, it's too late. usually the "buyer" will tell you the check is for a larger amount and ask you to refund the difference... that's what they're really after, not the boat or car or whatever you're selling.

wire transfer is the only safe way to receive the funds. I'm not sure setting up an account jsut for a wire is necessary... once a wire is received and credited, it's irrevocable. as to protecting your bank account number, how many checks do you write and whose hands do they go thru ?
 
I sent him my work address. I think when he saw the "Canadian Coast Guard" in the address he gave up! ;o) I would have liked to string him along a little more just to torture the bugger! But even I'm not that evil! ;o)
 
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