Buying a car scam?

[oraclesmith]

Cash is King. Never ever take a personal cheque unless it's from a bona-fide company or someone you know well. They can come back months later having been found as forgeries and you'll have to give the money back to the bank.

I've come across a couple of dodgy situations with buying and selling cars. One was an Asian guy who phoned up using our classified ad in the local paper and wanted us to bring the car round to his place. We did this, but then a young white guy came out to have a look round it. The Asian guy then phoned with a very low offer so we told him to feck off.

Another time we found a car in the paper to buy and went to see it. The 'seller' and his girlfriend had just moved into rented accomodation and gave us some story about him selling the vehicle on behalf of his mate up North. We did an HP check and found it was a write-off that had been put back on the road. So we told them to feck off.

[Clippy]

Can't remember where, but I have read the suggestion that even cash isn't infallible: if he buys your car with cash that identifiably comes from the sale of something that wasn't his to sell, the cash wasn't his to give you, therefore it wasn't yours to receive, and it can be taken back from you, or even from where you spend it.

I don't believe it myself, but I read it on the internet......

So you have to qualify the source of funds being used to purchase your car before you agree to sell it?

Hmm, definitely a load of poo poo.

Stick the car in the trader or on Pistonheads for free.

Sell for cash or cheque (must clear first before handing over the car).

Simple.

[TheFaQQer]

You can't cancel a bankers draft, or a building society cheque. Either of those, or cash, should do.

[Clippy]

You can't cancel a bankers draft, or a building society cheque. Either of those, or cash, should do.

Nope, but I have heard of forgeries - there was even a story a few years ago where a batch of building society cheques had been stolen.


If you are a genuine buyer and seller waiting a few days for the cheque to clear will not be a problem.

[oraclesmith]

It makes no difference that the cheque cleared - unless you're going to take all the money out of your bank account a do a runner ! If the cheque is a forgery it can weeks, even months for the banks to discover it. Once they do they will reverse the credit to your account and possibly freeze it as well if they think it's part of a money laundering scam. So... don't take personal cheques !!!

[Let-Me-In]

Ask him to leave his wife with you as deposit...

[Clippy]

It makes no difference that the cheque cleared - unless you're going to take all the money out of your bank account a do a runner ! If the cheque is a forgery it can weeks, even months for the banks to discover it. Once they do they will reverse the credit to your account and possibly freeze it as well if they think it's part of a money laundering scam. So... don't take personal cheques !!!

That doesn't strike me as being right.

Who's responsibility should it be that cheques are forgery proof?

I can understand this principle for (large) retailers who can train their staff but for the average Joe...

Is this fact or internet hearsay?

[VectraMan]

That doesn't strike me as being right.

Who's responsibility should it be that cheques are forgery proof?

I can understand this principle for (large) retailers who can train their staff but for the average Joe...

Is this fact or internet hearsay?

It is fact. It's essentially how all the 419 scams work. The money is there in your bank account, apparently cleared and okay, and then much later it turns out to be stolen, or obtain by fraudulent means, and the bank will take it back not caring about the tulip you're left in.

Banker's draughts are notorious for being forged and/or stolen as well.

There doesn't seem to be a safe way, other than cash, and then there's always the chance you're going to get beaten up on the way to the bank.

[Clippy]

It is fact. It's essentially how all the 419 scams work. The money is there in your bank account, apparently cleared and okay, and then much later it turns out to be stolen, or obtain by fraudulent means, and the bank will take it back not caring about the tulip you're left in.

Banker's draughts are notorious for being forged and/or stolen as well.

There doesn't seem to be a safe way, other than cash, and then there's always the chance you're going to get beaten up on the way to the bank.

Well knock me down with a feather.

Didn't know that - thanks for the heads up.

I guess it's another example of the banks passing the buck, so to speak.

[r0bly0ns]

419 scams work on international money transfers not personal cheques.

Who would accept a personal cheque in the post from Nigeria?


Edit:
Sorry, not that clear, 419 doesn't work on personal cheques but the poster is correct, personal cheques can be canceled after clearence if forgeries.

This is mainley used when buying cars and motorbikes etc.. though (especially on ebay). see "Overpayment Cheque Scam Still Netting Victims" here...
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/issue38.html#two