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Sellers, please BEWARE of people, often from foreign countries (often Nigeria), wanting to send a cashiers check often for more than the amount of the item and having you ship your product and/or send difference to someone else or back to them. Cashiers checks can, and in this case, will bounce. This is a common scam. For more information go here or search "fake cashiers check scam" on any search engine.

• Independently confirm the name, address and phone numbers of the buyer.  Check out the phone book, directory assistance or try an on-line database.

• Insist on an official check drawn on a local bank or a bank that has a local branch.  If the purchaser is not local, call the bank where the check was purchased.  Be sure to obtain this phone number yourself, not from the person who gave you the check.

• Be suspicious if the cashier's check is made out for an amount higher than the asking price and you are asked to transfer the excess amount to another bank account.

• Be especially cautious if the purchaser is long-distance or if you are dealing with them over the Internet.

• If the check shows it was purchased by someone else, not the person you are dealing with, or if the check doesn't have the look or feel of a real check, contact the bank to check its validity.  It might be counterfeit.

• Search the Web for government special alerts to learn whether the bank your check is drawn on has had its checks counterfeited before.

• Listen to your instincts.  If something about the business transaction doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.

Here is some feedback we have received regarding a few cases attempted fraud in the Marketplace.
We thought we'd start posting some of these in hopes that our visitors will be more informed and therefore less susceptible to this sort of crime.  A few bad eggs try to ruin things for the rest of us.  Let's not let them.
If you have a story or a warning - email us! 

A man by the name of John Smith contacted me regarding purchasing our uniforms we had for sale through the website.   We had been in contact for several months.  He seemed very intelligent and honest.  He told me that he had a company that was going to be sponsoring the uniforms and other equipment that he was purchasing, and that company was going to send me one lump sum and I was to send him the difference through Western Union so that he could disperse the money.  I FELL FOR IT.  Now, our non profit organization is out $3,000.  The money was sent to us in the form of a Cashier's Check.  I had no reason to believe it was fraudulent.  So I deposited it in my bank and took out the difference and wired to him before it cleared.  Well, it never cleared.  His email address is mass_joee@yahoo.com.  Every time he called the number came up as unknown number.  He made a mistake once and called from his land line, which I gave to the police.  He told me that he was out of the country on business. (London)  He also told me he was originally from North Carolina and he was starting a small gym there.   Now, looking back all the signs were there.  This was  a huge learning experience for me and my gym. Thanks, Yvette 2/08

To: (buyer)
Subject: RE: i'm in tight corner.....
Olivia,
As I told you, our banks require a three week holding period on your bank check for it to clear.  It just got deposited over the weekend. I will keep you posted when it clears..
Bill

>Subject: i'm in tight corner.....
hello william
good day. pls what is the problem?
why do you chose to punish me  this way? you know i have family as you do. do you want my family to suffer?
pls, if you can not send the deposit to kenneth hollies, i don't mind if you could just send me  at least  $1500  for my children's school fees and feeding.
Right now as i am talking to you, i don't have any money left with me. it is, as a result of my money being trapped by my customers. they said i should supply all their goods before they release my payment to me.
pls  william, i'm pleading you, to consider my situation and that of my family. we are in difficulties now.
thanks for your understanding. hoping to hear from you. olivia

Way to go Bill! You stuck to your guns and avoided the trap. Others take note!

I got this:
Good day
   my Name is boyle milla from outside the usa i saw one of your (my product) you place on advert on the internet and im interested in buying it.  i will like to have in touch with you to tell me the actual prize you will sell it so that i can make the payment through cashier check thanx for your co-operation looking forward to your reply
   regards boyle
--
This is clearly one of the bad guys. It's IP is from Nigeria. Needless to say, I didn't respond.

I recently encountered someone trying to pull this scam on me.  I tried to find out as much info about them as possible to be able to file a complaint before terminating agreement.  I am selling a piece of exercise equipment and they responded very anxious to buy.  They were trying to pull the Cashiers check scam where they were going to send me way more than what the machine was selling for.  I have all the correspondences that were sent between us as well as the email address if you need that information:  Email me back if you would like more information on these correspondences.  
Thanks, Jeremy
1/20/05

A long time ago I tried to warn people because I got scammed for almost $6000. Here's my story: I have sold quite a bit on this site and have had good luck until???  This buyer was so interested in my machines, they wanted pictures, conditions, delivery services, negotiations and was willing to send me a cashiers check 1st. Story was, that they wanted to send more than the amount and I was to send balance to shipper direct. My cut was only $1900 and I had no reason to believe a cashiers check would be bad. It was a legitimate bank and my bank cashed it with no warning of holding it till it clears. They said I was a good customer and had no reason to think I would cash a bad check. (ME)?!! I Took my cut and wired balance (WIRED, A BIG NO NO)!! Not even the FBI can trace a wire transfer as you can pick it up anywhere in the state. Three days later the buyers rep wrote and said he received the money, thanks and something has come up. He said the buyer have a stroke and can't use the equipment. I had it all palletized and ready for pickup. He said to please send balance back right away (wire transfer again). AND my $1900!!  I told him the deal was done and he gave me a sob story and begged practically. He told me to keep 10% for my trouble. I kept $650 and wired the rest back. 3days later my bank calls me in for a bad check. I was devastated and had to wipe out my savings and pay the rest back at $250 a month in which I have 3 more payments. I'm out $6000. My bank turned their back on me, the FBI wasn't interested, the local cops made a report and recommended I call an internet fraud co.. Moral of the story??  DON'T ever send a wire transfer. Don't send anything until their check, money order, cashiers check has cleared and confirmed by your bank that its good money. Cashiers checks and money orders used to be safe. No so now. My bank says there was several red flags, but I failed to see them. Maybe so, but I have learned to trust no one period. Pay Pal is a good deal, but clearing the money is the safest. I will also never sell to anyone out of the usa. Call the local sheriffs office, phones books, places of employment, their banks. That's it, be careful!!  Ernie
1/10/05

I want to thank you for placing the warning about the Cashiers Check Scam on your web page.  I received an e-mail just like you described.  The man wanted to buy the Hydraulic Circuit that I have listed but said that a client in the U.S. owed him twice my asking price and that they would send me the check if they could "trust" me to send them the difference.  He ended the message with "God Bless".  I appreciate that you are looking out for people at usgyms.net!  Thank You! 
12/2/04

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