[Northwoods]

I am trying to sell a car. I've posted on a few sites. I have an interested person who contacted me via email. They said they are interested and would like to purchase but will not be able to come and see the vehicle and pay cash due to their work schedule, They will pay with a certified bank check and have movers pick it up after the check clears my account.

Is there any possibility that this could be a scam?

[retiredguy123]

It is definitely a scam. The certified check will be counterfeit, but you will not know it until several weeks after you have deposited it into your bank account. Your bank will deposit the money into your account but they will remove the money when they find out that it is counterfeit. You will assume that the check has "cleared" but it has not.

[Northwoods]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

it is definitely a scam. The certified check will be counterfeit, but you will not know it until several weeks after you have deposited it into your bank account. Your bank will deposit the money into your account but they will remove the money when they find out that it is counterfeit. You will assume that the check has "cleared" but it has not.

thank you!!!

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Northwoods

I am trying to sell a car. I've posted on a few sites. I have an interested person who contacted me via email. They said they are interested and would like to purchase but will not be able to come and see the vehicle and pay cash due to their work schedule, They will pay with a certified bank check and have movers pick it up after the check clears my account.

Is there any possibility that this could be a scam?

Yes.

Use a 3rd party Escrow company to handle the transaction if there's a lot of money involved.

Best Ways To Exchange Funds in a Car Sale - Kelley Blue Book

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Yes.

Use a 3rd party Escrow company to handle the transaction if there's a lot of money involved.

Best Ways To Exchange Funds in a Car Sale - Kelley Blue Book

I don't agree with the KBB section on certified checks, unless the check is issued by a local bank. As I understand it, the typical scammer uses a counterfeit certified check with an out-of-town bank, or a bank that doesn't even exist. Your bank will credit your account, but when they discover that the check is counterfeit, they will debit your account and you will lose your money.

[Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by Northwoods

Is there any possibility that this could be a scam?

Is there ANY possibility it is NOT a Scam?

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Jayhawk

Is there ANY possibility it is NOT a Scam?

Why can it not be legit?

Payment with a Certified Check is usually very easy to confirm and much different than payment with a "Bank Check". If you'll note the OP's original post, he's not using clear language for what he's been promised.

Depending on what bank issued the check, some "bank checks" are easy to confirm.

There isn't always a boogey man.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Why can it not be legit?

Payment with a Certified Check is usually very easy to confirm and much different than payment with a "Bank Check". If you'll note the OP's original post, he's not using a clear language for what he's been promised.

Depending on what bank issued the check, some "bank checks" are easy to confirm.

There isn't always a boogey man.

I'll bet you a dollar that it is a scam.

[Randall55]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I'll bet you a dollar that it is a scam.

Agree to the buyers terms but tell him/her you will not surrender the car until the check has cleared. If it is a scam, they will move on. Not a scam? Congratulations, You sold your car! Please keep us informed of the result.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Why can it not be legit?

Payment with a Certified Check is usually very easy to confirm and much different than payment with a "Bank Check". If you'll note the OP's original post, he's not using clear language for what he's been promised.

Depending on what bank issued the check, some "bank checks" are easy to confirm.

There isn't always a boogey man.

This is a well known scam... To sweeten the pot, the scammer will then write a check for MORE than the asking price, telling you to keep some of the money and return the rest "for the inconvenience"... Once they have that money, they disappear...

[coralway]

Originally Posted by Northwoods

I am trying to sell a car. I've posted on a few sites. I have an interested person who contacted me via email. They said they are interested and would like to purchase but will not be able to come and see the vehicle and pay cash due to their work schedule, They will pay with a certified bank check and have movers pick it up after the check clears my account.

Is there any possibility that this could be a scam?

The old “work schedule “ scam. You can meet on the weekend, and have your buyer bring cash.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Randall55

Agree to the buyers terms but tell him/her you will not surrender the car until the check has cleared. If it is a scam, they will move on. Not a scam? Congratulations, You sold your car! Please keep us informed of the result.

The key word here is "cleared". Your bank will never clear a check until they have received the money from the bank that issued the check. If the check is counterfeit, that will never happen.

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by Randall55

Agree to the buyers terms but tell him/her you will not surrender the car until the check has cleared. If it is a scam, they will move on. Not a scam? Congratulations, You sold your car! Please keep us informed of the result.

NO!!!! Do not continue correspondence with the scammer. They will go away when they realize that they did not get you to bite.

[villagetinker]

OP, send a reply back that you will use Vemo, Paypal, or another service THAT YOUR BANK USES. When payment is verified, then and only then will you meet them to transfer the title in person.
I will bet you will never hear from them again.

[Northwoods]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The key word here is "cleared". Your bank will never clear a check until they have received the money from the bank that issued the check. If the check is counterfeit, that will never happen.

Just to let everyone know, I sent a message back to the "buyer" and said "You can pick up the car when the check clears YOUR bank." I also told them I needed to check with my bank to make sure there weren't any issues.

Shocking, I have not heard back from them!

I knew it smelled like a scam, but the "certified check" comment threw me. I posted here because I knew people would give me good advice! I did plan to go to my bank tomorrow and also ask them about it.

Thanks everyone!