money order
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From: usa
money order
for those who have done western union money orders, is there a way to see if its legit?
on the back it says there is supposed to be a securitymark of somekind but the one i got sent to me seems like theres nothing there. excpet a x on the back that says "check protect".
on the back it says there is supposed to be a securitymark of somekind but the one i got sent to me seems like theres nothing there. excpet a x on the back that says "check protect".
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From: Nashville
Originally Posted by VTEC_Junkie,Oct 30 2004, 05:16 PM
if you already have the check, then go to the bank and find out. if they will cash it for you then it's real. if not, then...you get the drift...
I would ask the bank to make damn sure, then maybe even wait a week before you turn anything over to the person if you suspect it is fake...... tell them to send cash or show up with cash if they are buying something.
goodluck...
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From: City
^ Sorry, but that's a load of bull. Only an absolute idiot sends cash through the mail, especially to someone you do not know. Showing up in person with cash is fine and all, as long as it is practical, and you are not worried about getting robbed, which is the whole reason people are being funny about this in the first place.
With personal check, it could be forged, or it could not have the funds to back it. The buyer at least has verification of the thing being cashed, so they cannot be scammed by a seller claiming the check never arrived.
A money order, on the other hand, gives the seller peace of mind in that the funds have to be presented in order for a money order to be printed. If the money order is fake, it won't be cashable, as every money order has a unique number, enabling the cashier to verify that the order is legitimate. If you can cash the money order, it is legit. Personal checks can bounce, so if you just deposited the check without calling the bank holding the account upon which it is drawn, you could be SOL if the funds are not there or the check is fake. If I was conscious enough to insist on a cashier's check or a "certified check," I would verify with the issuing bank before finishing the transaction.
Getting ripped off as a seller requires your participation. Getting ripped off as a buyer is far more common, and far harder to prevent, as you have to rely on the seller to be honest. If a guy sends you a money order or check, it is child's play to verify that the note is legit. If you are going to assume that every transaction is a fraud, and every buyer is a crook, why the hell are you trying to sell things via eBay? I personally am far more concerned with sellers than buyers using money orders.
With personal check, it could be forged, or it could not have the funds to back it. The buyer at least has verification of the thing being cashed, so they cannot be scammed by a seller claiming the check never arrived.
A money order, on the other hand, gives the seller peace of mind in that the funds have to be presented in order for a money order to be printed. If the money order is fake, it won't be cashable, as every money order has a unique number, enabling the cashier to verify that the order is legitimate. If you can cash the money order, it is legit. Personal checks can bounce, so if you just deposited the check without calling the bank holding the account upon which it is drawn, you could be SOL if the funds are not there or the check is fake. If I was conscious enough to insist on a cashier's check or a "certified check," I would verify with the issuing bank before finishing the transaction.
Getting ripped off as a seller requires your participation. Getting ripped off as a buyer is far more common, and far harder to prevent, as you have to rely on the seller to be honest. If a guy sends you a money order or check, it is child's play to verify that the note is legit. If you are going to assume that every transaction is a fraud, and every buyer is a crook, why the hell are you trying to sell things via eBay? I personally am far more concerned with sellers than buyers using money orders.
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Nashville
Originally Posted by no_really,Oct 31 2004, 12:28 AM
^ Sorry, but that's a load of bull. Only an absolute idiot sends cash through the mail, especially to someone you do not know. Showing up in person with cash is fine and all, as long as it is practical, and you are not worried about getting robbed, which is the whole reason people are being funny about this in the first place.
With personal check, it could be forged, or it could not have the funds to back it. The buyer at least has verification of the thing being cashed, so they cannot be scammed by a seller claiming the check never arrived.
A money order, on the other hand, gives the seller peace of mind in that the funds have to be presented in order for a money order to be printed. If the money order is fake, it won't be cashable, as every money order has a unique number, enabling the cashier to verify that the order is legitimate. If you can cash the money order, it is legit. Personal checks can bounce, so if you just deposited the check without calling the bank holding the account upon which it is drawn, you could be SOL if the funds are not there or the check is fake. If I was conscious enough to insist on a cashier's check or a "certified check," I would verify with the issuing bank before finishing the transaction.
Getting ripped off as a seller requires your participation. Getting ripped off as a buyer is far more common, and far harder to prevent, as you have to rely on the seller to be honest. If a guy sends you a money order or check, it is child's play to verify that the note is legit. If you are going to assume that every transaction is a fraud, and every buyer is a crook, why the hell are you trying to sell things via eBay? I personally am far more concerned with sellers than buyers using money orders.
With personal check, it could be forged, or it could not have the funds to back it. The buyer at least has verification of the thing being cashed, so they cannot be scammed by a seller claiming the check never arrived.
A money order, on the other hand, gives the seller peace of mind in that the funds have to be presented in order for a money order to be printed. If the money order is fake, it won't be cashable, as every money order has a unique number, enabling the cashier to verify that the order is legitimate. If you can cash the money order, it is legit. Personal checks can bounce, so if you just deposited the check without calling the bank holding the account upon which it is drawn, you could be SOL if the funds are not there or the check is fake. If I was conscious enough to insist on a cashier's check or a "certified check," I would verify with the issuing bank before finishing the transaction.
Getting ripped off as a seller requires your participation. Getting ripped off as a buyer is far more common, and far harder to prevent, as you have to rely on the seller to be honest. If a guy sends you a money order or check, it is child's play to verify that the note is legit. If you are going to assume that every transaction is a fraud, and every buyer is a crook, why the hell are you trying to sell things via eBay? I personally am far more concerned with sellers than buyers using money orders.
I have sent cash (as much as $100 or so) through the mail for stuff from eBay.... assuming they have a decent amount of feedback. I have also received as much as $100 cash in the mail.
If someone ripped me for $100 i doubt it would matter if i had used a money order or cash....i would not persue any legal issues due to the cost being more than the $100 that I lost.
As far as money orders being fake.... i have no idea if there is a 100% way for the teller to be able to tell if it is real or fake. I do know that cashiers checks that appear real to everyone in a bank have sometimes come back fake (that entire Nigerian car buyer scam is based on the fake cashiers check getting past the employees and returning once it gets on down the line).
I have only ever gotten ripped off in all my eBay transactions, hotwheel buying / selling, S2000 stuff.... 1 time by some guy on this board..... visereal.... i think i lost $200 or so... i has been a few years now...
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From: Napa
I'm selling a car right now (not my S) and I plan to go to the buyers bank with him, present his check to the bank for payment, have them give me a certified check. Then I will give him the car and title. That's the only way I can see as positively safe (except cash and this is too much $ to carry)
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From: Berkeley
Originally Posted by Scot,Oct 31 2004, 05:19 AM
If someone ripped me for $100 i doubt it would matter if i had used a money order or cash....i would not persue any legal issues due to the cost being more than the $100 that I lost.
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