possible scam advice

[Sailfree]

Re: possible scam advice

I have sold my Wayfarer and spare sails many times over unseen.

All buyers repeated sales advert back to me, offered full price, sight unseen, mentioned that cheque would be for more money to cover the shipping agent fee and asked for photo.

Silly me I am waiting for a buyer with cash or a cheque I can definately clear before I consider boat sold.

I once had a very difficult discussion with the bank that resulted in my finally accepting their statement that a cheque cannot be guaranteed to have cleared within ANY period of time just that the probability of it being refused diminishes with time. I found this incredible but they made it clear to me that if they ever at any time found something wrong with bankers draft or cheque they obtain the money back direct from your account and if you have spent it you will be overdrawn.

 

[westernman]

Re: possible scam advice

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If you can't do the deal in cash (or don't want to), you can insist on a UK bankers draft. This is a cheque issued by the bank and cannot bounce (unless the bank goes belly up).

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But it can be forged, which curiously, the bank don't check when you present it, and it will seem to clear.



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This is why you call up the issuing bank to ensure that it is genuine. They will confirm whether or not they issued it if you give them the number on it and your name. Ask them to confirm the amount and who the draft is payable to.

There are quite a few scams going around with forged banker's drafts - but by calling the issuing bank (taking care to look them up in the yellow pages and not calling the forger's mate on the number on the cheque) you can be sure that the draft is genuine.