posted on November 16, 2000 03:05:35 PM
I just got a cashier's check from a customer. Here's the lame part: I've never seen a cashier's check before, just money orders. This one is especially plain: plain white paper, no background, no water marks. The only things that look like a normal check/money order to me are the dot matrix printed amount, the numbers at the bottom, and the perforated edge. Are all cashier's checks this plain? Do you think this could be a cheap attempt at fraud? The dollar amount isn't much, so I don't think it would be worth the risk of faking a cashier's check. What do you think?
posted on November 16, 2000 03:30:09 PM
If the banks name and address are listed on the check try checking them out on the internet, i.e. www.MyBanks.com or call information for a phone # just to be sure the bank exist. Otherwise, good luck.
posted on November 16, 2000 03:40:06 PM
Why not just take it to the bank and try cashing it?? They will let you know if it is a fake or not....and then tell you how to proceed if it is fake! Good luck!!
posted on November 16, 2000 03:58:35 PM
What you need to do is give the issuing bank a call. They keep a record of all cashier's checks, with the dollar amount, payee, and check number. This is the only thing to do. Cashing it at your own bank won't help at all. Your bank can cash it and it can still come back and your bank will remove the money from your account, plus fees.
I have seen a few cashier's checks that look very unsecure like the one you're describing. They have all been good, but as a matter of course, I call the issuing bank on all cashier's checks. I have only had one fraudelent cashier's check in 25 years and over 1000 cashier's checks. This one was an inside job and a master con, pulled on me by someone later written up in Forbes magazine as "The World's best Con-artist". That con was very interesting, but off-topic, so I'll stop. Call the bank.
[ edited by pointy on Nov 16, 2000 03:59 PM ]
posted on November 16, 2000 04:36:18 PM
Some cashier's checks indeed look as described.
That, however, does not mean that a forged cashier's check would look any different, and any time someone with an inkjet printer and a dot matrix printer can produce what you're looking at, sooner or later you're going to be looking at a forgery.
A quick, simple thing to do: search for the issuing institution on the internet.
You did check feedback, eh?
A good feedback record combined with a real institution local to buyer is a good sign, depending on value. Over $1000 or so and it might be worth setting up a full fledged scam just for this event, a confirming phone call might be in order.
posted on November 16, 2000 05:18:56 PM
Thanks, all! I did a search for the bank and I at least know it's a real bank in the buyer's home town. It's after business hours so if I'm still unsure tomorrow, I'll give them a call.
I just can't help but think that I already have all the tools I need to print myself out enough cashier's checks to live like royalty (until I get tossed in jail, at least).
posted on November 16, 2000 06:03:20 PM
Printing your own money orders is a lot safer. The anti-federal people out west who are for local control got into paying for everything with their own money orders and basically when they were taken to court they were told for the most part to make arrangements to pay them - not that they could not write them.
