tfm

Gentleman, I'm putting this question into the 993 forum because it's my usual forum and I've always had pretty valid input on this forum.
I'm selling one of my cars. An anonymous buyer contacted me via Autotrader.com, texted that he wanted to buy the car and sent me a bank check for $7000 more than my asking price; he texted up front that "his wife" had made a mistake in the amount. He asked me to return the difference ...but only after his check cleared my checking account. My bank branch says the check "looks good" and that it would take at least two banking days to clear intro my account. If this check does clear and I then transfer overnight the funds into my brokerage account can these funds be recovered or taken back at any future point? The name he finally gave me doesn't show up in a Been Verified check, not the phone number either. Your thoughts?
Thanks

INTMD8

I'm surprised you're open to the idea this isn't a scam.

71-3.0-911

100% scam.

tfm

Well, that's what I'm thinking, this is a classic scam set up ...fake or altered bank check, then ask for some funds to be returned. But the 20 year bank employee looked at the check, tested it by photocopying and said, "If this is fake it's the best one I've ever seen." So, my real question is if this check clears my checking account and I transfer the funds into my Vanguard brokerage account am I then go to go? No way to lose the funds?

INTMD8

If you cash a fake check you are responsible to the bank.

CT Mike

Run away. This is a scam.

996scott

Even if this was an honest mistake, it smells too much like a scam for me to procede. I would not entertain this at all.

71-3.0-911

This. If the OPs intent is to defraud the bank of which you cash the check by moving it immediately to a Vanguard account, you'll still be on the hook.

This is a basic scam and fraud. There is no scenario in which you'll recoup this money. No such thing as a free lunch. You won't scam the scammer on this one.

My advice is to report it as fraud to the FBI and offer the check as evidence.

I'm betting if you go back to the "buyer" and say the bank wouldn't take the check, please send one for the correct value, "buyer" will disappear.

This reeks of bad decisions all around.

GTSMeister

A check clearing the local bank and funds into your account is not the end of the process. Scammers rely on this premise. It takes many more days for the check to make it back to the source institution at which point it will be denied being posted from a non-existent account. Then your funds will be removed from your bank and you are on the hook.

Don't do it.

budge96

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo !!!!!,,!!!!!,!!,!!????.?.,,!,!,,,,,,

PRSWILL

THIS....

alsamrob4

^+1

SC2993

Run Forrest run!

pp000830

A good question for your bank.
https://www.safechecks.com/fraud-edu...due-course.php

Gbos1

Report as FRAUD!