Topic: Cashiers check scam?

[Scott S]

 I have a bike for sale, both locally on CL and on eBay. I've been contacted by three different people that say they'll send a cashiers check and when it clears they'll send their shipper.

 I've sold bikes out of state before. I've taken cashiers checks before. But these all seem too fishy, too similar. A couple of them use nearly the exact wording.
 But.... I've talked to one of them on the phone, so there is a person on the other line (in Ohio). The other is in Mississippi and he texts me back every other day or so, usually with a "Hello" or "Good Morning".

 I've told them both that my bank will hold a cashiers check for 5 days. The bike nor the title will leave my possession until the check clears. If it doesn't clear, I get charged a $10 returned check fee.

 So, what's the scam here? What do I have to lose? They all just have my spidey senses tingling, unlike past transactions.
 
 The two more "serious" ones have asked for my name and address to send the check. I haven't given that out yet. It all just seems a little odd and fishy to me.

[seanbarney41]

Same here scott.  I have had a kz650 for sale on clist for over a month.  I have gotten next to no legitimate responses.  Not even the usual lowballers.  Just the cashiers check deal.  I told them to get lost, but like you, I don't quite understand where the payoff is.

[seanbarney41]

Seems like legitimate buyers are no longer looking at craigslist, at least in my area.  Facebook marketplace seems to have taken over.

[Scott S]

 I'm not on Facebook anymore. 
 Even through Ebay I got the "Is the item still available?" B.S.

[LastChancer88]

I know the feeling you're having.  I delete any offer that makes me wonder if they're real when selling something on the internet.  There's a possibility I've missed a quicker sale, but I've never not sold something because I waited for someone who took the effort to be a human ya know?  Plus I always like it when I can sell to someone who seems like a good home for the item.  Maybe I'm too sentimental. 

[madmtnmotors]

I don't know whether five days is enough time for the bank to verify the legitimacy of the check. Press the bank for more information about the "statute of limitations" even after they declare that "the check has cleared". They may get a "digitally cleared" but once the supposedly issuing institution gets the check in their hands can they still declare it a forgery?

[MikeSimon]

I don't know whether five days is enough time for the bank to verify the legitimacy of the check. 

Five days is not enough. My bank told me bad checks may bounce up to two weeks after deposit.
Where in Ohio is the guy from? Do you have a name and address?

[Scott S]

 I'm positive that they're all attempted scammers. I was just trying to figure out how/what the scam is if the check clears.

 I guess it's the 5 days thing.  I'm not convinced that the bank is correct on that.

[LastChancer88]

Must be the new version of "the check is in the mail." 

[seanbarney41]

I'm positive that they're all attempted scammers. I was just trying to figure out how/what the scam is if the check clears.

 I guess it's the 5 days thing.  I'm not convinced that the bank is correct on that.

...and what is their big payoff for all the work they did to scam someone out of a motorcycle like my kz650?  All they really could get away with is to part it out, which requires even more effort for not much money.

[Stev-o]

Sounds like a scam.   Ask for a Bank check from a nationally known Bank, once received you can walk in, cash it and walk out with cash.

I've bought out of state bikes like this so the seller knows it's not a scam. 

[Duke McDukiedook]

Must be the new version of "the check is in the mail." 

Hey, you leave Jack Burton out of this, OK?!??!  He done paid his dues!!

[dave500]

we have "gumtree"here like your craigslist,i always add "phone calls only please,private numbers will not be answered nor emails or texts"still ya get the retards low balling via email or text?

[74cb750]

It is definitely a scam, even "bank checks" sometimes aren't legit.
I had one send me a check from the Bank of Scottland. Looked real too.

Only accept a bank check from a national bank/western union,(AND make sure they are legit by
calling said bank about sufficient $ in  the account or paypal/venmo etc etc.

[Gordon]

I'm positive that they're all attempted scammers. I was just trying to figure out how/what the scam is if the check clears.

 I guess it's the 5 days thing.  I'm not convinced that the bank is correct on that.

The cashier's check scam is that they'll send you a fake check for more than the purchase price and ask you to wire them the difference "to cover the cost of shipping" or some other similar bogus reason.  Even after the bank "clears" the check it can take a lot longer than 5 days for it to come back as fake, so you get the money, send the difference back to the scammer, and then you're screwed. 

[Scott S]

 I've heard of that scam but these guys never asked for additional money. 

[dave500]

that's where I come in scott just send it to me!

[Johnie]

Thanks for the info. I have had 2 scammers so far regarding my 69 CB750 I am selling. Thankfully those 2 had nothing to do with the forum, but it was easy to let them go. Who needs the headache?

[Gordon]

I've heard of that scam but these guys never asked for additional money.

I think the scam is just evolving some as more people are catching on, so they don't mention anything about the additional money until after they've sent you the fake check. 

[Stretch]

Just curious, do the callers ask any details about the bike's condition or mileage? In details I mean, the condition of the chrome, tires, exhaust, you now the value changing items. Do they seem like they have ever owned a bike with more than one cylinder?

[seanbarney41]

Just curious, do the callers ask any details about the bike's condition or mileage? In details I mean, the condition of the chrome, tires, exhaust, you now the value changing items. Do they seem like they have ever owned a bike with more than one cylinder?

not that I have seen or heard...they just have elaborate explanations about how they are sure it is exactly what they want and how they can't be there to inspect or purchase.