Possible red flag on deal, please read.

[sdgadave]

Hey all, what do you think about this. I have 2 watches for sale right now here on TRF and I was in communication with a new TRF buyer both through dm’s and 1 phone call for one of my listing. We agreed on a price over the phone and I requested a bank transfer as the payment. He told me he has never done a transfer and was not comfortable and asked if I would take a cashiers check. I said okay and of course would wait for the funds to clear then send the watch. I got the cashiers check 2 days later and went to my bank and was told they could not verify it. Before going to my bank I googled the bank it was drawn from and called the number. What was weird is that they asked me for the check number only and asked me what the amount was for. No routing number was requested to verify. So that along with my bank not accepting the check and the weird call to the bank I will walk away from the deal.

Should I contact the buyer and tell them there was a problem with the check and request a wire? Or should I not make any contact with them as I feel it was most likely fraudulent.

Should I post the members name here. I do not want anyone to run into this issue from them.

Thanks for the help.


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[Socalwatchguy]

Why not just simply notify the buyer you were not able to cash the check? And if they want to proceed with the purchase either wire or send a new check that can be cashed. No harm in that?


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[dauster]

Originally Posted by Socalwatchguy

Why not just simply notify the buyer you were not able to cash the check? And if they want to proceed with the purchase either wire or send a new check that can be cashed. No harm in that?


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exactly this !!! as long as you get the funds before you ship the watch you are good

[puma1552]

Because you don't know for sure that it's a scam (it may very well be), I would just notify the buyer that the check couldn't be cashed and you are canceling the sale.

End the transaction, but do so respectfully being that you don't really know if the buyer is nefarious or not.

[AF_Rob]

Originally Posted by puma1552

Because you don't know for sure that it's a scam (it may very well be), I would just notify the buyer that the check couldn't be cashed and you are canceling the sale.

End the transaction, but do so respectfully being that you don't really know if the buyer is nefarious or not.

Concur. Be gracious and move on. It’s turning into a hassle.

I’d also let a mod know about the new member to see if they’ve been reaching out to other trusted sellers on here.


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[RedSub]

Why would the bank who issued the check ask you for the checks routing number? That doesn’t seem like a red flag, but I’d be interested to learn more.

Also, you didn’t mention if that bank did or didn’t verify it after you gave them the check number and amount… what did they say?

Either way, if you don’t feel 110% confident, informing the buyer and canceling the sale is the right move. Too much on the line and too many great scams these days.

[watchluvr4ever]

Not completely sure about your particular situation, but fake cashier checks do exist and it wouldn’t be the first time someone was almost scammed with one. Glad you still have your watch.

[WilsdorfNDavis]

Wire transfers or nothing mate.

Cashier's checks can be cancelled even after the fact.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by wilsdorfndavis

wire transfers or nothing mate.

Cashier's checks can be cancelled even after the fact.

x2!!!

PS Cancel deal and find a legit buyer!

[Easy E]

Did you ask your bank to cash it or verify it? I’m not sure those are exactly the same question. If you deposit it, wait for the funds to clear, if it’s fake or cancelled, then you know.

[Mr. K]

Ask if you can call them at work. If possible. Go through the main switchboard after googling the company. At least that way you can track them.

Either way contact the buyer, give and them the benefit of the doubt.

[Old Geezer]

There's no way I'd go forward until a check cleared and me and my bank were 100% certain the funds were actually received from the other bank. I have no idea how banks work and whether they would post funds to your account before the check cleared but I wouldn't risk funds being pulled back out of your account if your bank doesn't get the funds.

[jb335]

The issuing bank would not ask for the routing number because they already know their own routing number.


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[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by jb335

The issuing bank would not ask for the routing number because they already know their own routing number.


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Exactl same thought that I had. They would only need name, acct #, check #, and amount.


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[Marcjvr]

Originally Posted by sdgadave

Hey all, what do you think about this. I have 2 watches for sale right now here on TRF and I was in communication with a new TRF buyer both through dm’s and 1 phone call for one of my listing. We agreed on a price over the phone and I requested a bank transfer as the payment. He told me he has never done a transfer and was not comfortable and asked if I would take a cashiers check. I said okay and of course would wait for the funds to clear then send the watch. I got the cashiers check 2 days later and went to my bank and was told they could not verify it. Before going to my bank I googled the bank it was drawn from and called the number. What was weird is that they asked me for the check number only and asked me what the amount was for. No routing number was requested to verify. So that along with my bank not accepting the check and the weird call to the bank I will walk away from the deal.

Should I contact the buyer and tell them there was a problem with the check and request a wire? Or should I not make any contact with them as I feel it was most likely fraudulent.

Should I post the members name here. I do not want anyone to run into this issue from them.

Thanks for the help.


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From:

https://www.ussfcu.org/media-center/...k-fraud-scams#

[train-time]

Return the check and cancel the deal! He had to go to the bank to get the cashier's check, why couldn't he just do the wire while he was there? It's probably even easier.

[sdgadave]

My bank would not accept the cashiers check. The manager contacted their BSA Officer and they both contacted the issuing bank and could not verify it. The branch manager explained to me the routing numbers on the cashiers check are not from the issuing bank.


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[Marcjvr]

Originally Posted by sdgadave

My bank would not accept the cashiers check. The manager contacted their BSA Officer and they both contacted the issuing bank and could not verify it. The branch manager explained to me the routing numbers on the cashiers check are not from the issuing bank.


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Abort the deal as fast as you can and say a BIG BIG thank you to your bank staff. They just saved you a ton of money

[jaySL350]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Abort the deal as fast as you can and say a BIG BIG thank you to your bank staff. They just saved you a ton of money

+1

[vitalsigns]

Originally Posted by sdgadave

My bank would not accept the cashiers check. The manager contacted their BSA Officer and they both contacted the issuing bank and could not verify it. The branch manager explained to me the routing numbers on the cashiers check are not from the issuing bank.

From this alone, I'd conclude it's 99.999% likely a scam.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by sdgadave

My bank would not accept the cashiers check. The manager contacted their BSA Officer and they both contacted the issuing bank and could not verify it. The branch manager explained to me the routing numbers on the cashiers check are not from the issuing bank.


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That clears it up. You could not deposit the check. Send the check back and cancel the deal.

[AJMarcus]

Originally Posted by sdgadave

My bank would not accept the cashiers check. The manager contacted their BSA Officer and they both contacted the issuing bank and could not verify it. The branch manager explained to me the routing numbers on the cashiers check are not from the issuing bank.


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Sounds like a bad check. I’d tell the buyer what your bank told you. Unless I had funds wired to my account no deal. That simple. Trust your spidey instincts.

[m j b]

Originally Posted by WilsdorfNDavis

Wire transfers or nothing mate.

Cashier's checks can be cancelled even after the fact.

Not true. Not in America.

Originally Posted by sdgadave

My bank would not accept the cashiers check. The manager contacted their BSA Officer and they both contacted the issuing bank and could not verify it. The branch manager explained to me the routing numbers on the cashiers check are not from the issuing bank.

Good on you, doing the diligence. Obviously it's a scam.

I buy and sell watches, cars, etc. quite often (less on the watches these days) and my practice is to Google the bank branch that he/she purportedly got the check from and call them. Never use the number printed on the check. Ask for the person that signed the check, and ask them if they remember so-and-so getting the check. If it's a large amount (and it usually is) then they will remember. Confirm that the check is OK, and carry on.

I've never had a problem. Natch wiring is preferable, but some people balk, for whatever reason.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by m j b

Not true. Not in America.



Good on you, doing the diligence. Obviously it's a scam.

I buy and sell watches, cars, etc. quite often (less on the watches these days) and my practice is to Google the bank branch that he/she purportedly got the check from and call them. Never use the number printed on the check. Ask for the person that signed the check, and ask them if they remember so-and-so getting the check. If it's a large amount (and it usually is) then they will remember. Confirm that the check is OK, and carry on.

I've never had a problem. Natch wiring is preferable, but some people balk, for whatever reason.

Well, I sure have. Years ago, you could simply call any bank and verify a check. Now when you call a bank all you get is an automated attendant. You cannot get a live person or any information on anything, unless you are the bank customer with a user account and pin number.

[sdgadave]

Yes, I agree the deal is done. My last question is what should I do regarding the buyer?

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by sdgadave

Yes, I agree the deal is done. My last question is what should I do regarding the buyer?

Just tell him you could not verify the funds, and send the check back.

Kat


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[Kreyzhorse]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

Just tell him you could not verify the funds, and send the check back.

Kat


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This.

[Carguy87]

Originally Posted by sdgadave

Yes, I agree the deal is done. My last question is what should I do regarding the buyer?

Give the buyer an opportunity to wire the funds or conduct the transaction in person if feasible. If the buyer is not willing then post in the watch out section as a cautionary tale. Not saying they aren’t potentially still a legit buyer, but you had this weird interaction and you want to make others aware.

I haven’t tried to sell any of my nice pieces yet, but if/when I do if it’s not a friend or a local person I can meet face to face, I’d probably just sell it to a grey and chalk the margin difference up to the cost of my personal and financial safety.

[kidcurtis]

Originally Posted by sdgadave

Yes, I agree the deal is done. My last question is what should I do regarding the buyer?

I am replying here because I AM the one trying to buy the watch from David.
I sent a cashier's check from bank just like I have done when purchasing gold/silver and other collectibles from other deals.

I don't know what the his bank has said, but I told David to cash the check and hold the watch as long as he needed until the check cleared.

I understand this is my fault for being old school and using checks, but it is what I am used to.

I wish David would have contacted me and told me his concerns so I could work to resolve them to his satisfaction.

I work in public safety and put in long hours to try and buy the few watches I have. In my talk with David over the phone he seemed a very genuine person, so I am regretful it has turned out this way. I understand now to send wire only, without question.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by sdgadave

Yes, I agree the deal is done. My last question is what should I do regarding the buyer?

Name him. On this thread and the Who's Who sub-forum.

He sounds like a scammer, but on the slim chance he's not, he can explain himself.

Or...report him to our excellent mods, who then will do what they do best.