Does this sound like fraud?

[LSCto300C]

So I have a car up for sale on craigslist and got two hits on it very quickly. One was a "dealership" in the Netherlands (yeah right) but the other was a lot more convincing.
Just know, I'm not a pro with selling things online and what may seem like a good deal to me may be a big red flag to you more experienced guys.

So the lady contacts me and wants to send me a CERTIFIED CHECK from her local bank, wait for the check to clear and get into my account, then pick up the car.

What do you think? Did I sell a car or is someone trying to screw me out of $3300?
Thanks!

BTW, she thinks I should have the check by next monday or tuesday.
If this is legit, this is my ticket to heads, cam, headers, and maybe a torque converter

[GoofyTimL]

Ceritifed Check... I'd still be cautious. Cashier's Check would be better, though still not a full guarantee...

[viper3ez]

how's she picking the car up? take her to the bank and let her get the money out and give to you. so NO to checks.

[JGarten]

But you can make the transaction safer:

1. Keep the car (and keys) in your possession!
2. Insist on a cashier's check drawn on a local bank near you (this in itself is not bullet proof, but increases your chances of avoiding fraud), but you take your chances with any kind of check - be vigilant and examine the document for blurry microprint, missing watermarks - if in doubt, call the bank!
3. Never accept a check for any amount over the agreed selling price (that's a sure sign of a scam in progress)
4. Deposit the check into you checking account
5. The bank will show "Available balance" and "Collected balance" on your checking account (if your bank does not show collected vs. available for some reason, get another bank!)
6. The "Collected balance" will be less than the "Available balance" by (at least) the amount of the deposited check (the law requires banks to make deposited funds available to you in a relatively short period of time, often before they can actually collect those funds - if and when they cannot collect on a fradulent check they can legally decuct the deposited amount from your account, you lose, game over)
7. When the bank collects the money from whomever's account the check draws on and "physically" deposits it into your checking account, the "Collected balance" will then be more or less equal to the "Available balance" (taking into account other checking activity, you're milage will vary)
8. Deliver the car (and keys)

Good luck!

[ADOGG]

You could also have your bank call to verify funds are available or if her bank is nearby, go to her bank and cash the check. They wont cash if funds are not available. But, as always, CASH

[LSCto300C]

JGarten, that was fantastic. Thank you.
And, just to be clear, I was kind of optimistic of this sale because she's very clear that she will only pick up the car AFTER the check has cleared. The check is for no more than my asking amount, she wants to drive to Billings and pick up the car locally, and she's giving plenty of time for the check to clear and make everything legit.

I still have my guard up and won't be fully convinced until everything is finalized. I'll let you all know what happens.

[LSCto300C]

Originally Posted by ADOGG

You could also have your bank call to verify funds are available or if her bank is nearby, go to her bank and cash the check. They wont cash if funds are not available. But, as always, CASH

She's supposedly in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Once the check clears she wants to drive up to Montana to retrieve it. We'll see what happens with this.

[lethal300c]

My first thought is why a cert. check? Offer to allow her to discount the fee her bank charges her to wire the money from her account to yours (probably around $25.00) and see how she reacts. If she is on the up and up, she is out nothing to have the funds in you account immediately. The funds would come out of hers the same as they would with a cert. check. GL Will.

[viper3ez]

Originally Posted by lethal300c

My first thought is why a cert. check? Offer to allow her to discount the fee her bank charges her to wire the money from her account to yours (probably around $25.00) and see how she reacts. If she is on the up and up, she is out nothing to have the funds in you account immediately. The funds would come out of hers the same as they would with a cert. check. GL Will.

well said. if she is going to pick the car why send a check when she can go to a bank when she gets to you?

[LSCto300C]

My thought was that she'd give the check time to clear before coming to get the car. But, like I said, we'll see There's no chance in hell I'll lose anything on this. If the check doesn't clear, no car. Simple as that.
Plus, this is mod money we're talkin about here... serious stuff.