Is this a craigslist scam

[Nanomeister]

So I deposited a check for 2250$ when I was selling a computer for 800$ so I think it's a scam since they want a mover coming, my question is when will my check clear so I can securely withdraw my money without getting scammed. My bank is bank of America 

[XR6]

6 minutes ago, Nanomeister said:

So I deposited a check for 2250$ when I was selling a computer for 800$ so I think it's a scam since they want a mover coming, my question is when will my check clear so I can securely withdraw my money without getting scammed. My bank is bank of America 

They're paying $2250 for an $800 computer? That definitely doesn't sound right.. 

Don't give them the computer. Chances are if the buyer is overpaying by $1450 they are not legit. 

[Tsuki]

never take a check in a craigslist deal.

cash only. always. no exceptions

 

do not spend the money you deposited. it may bounce later, or they will dispute it with their bank.  if you spent it, you can get fucked with overage charges.

 

i would stop contact with them immediately

[Dedayog]

7 minutes ago, Nanomeister said:

So I deposited a check for 2250$ when I was selling a computer for 800$ so I think it's a scam since they want a mover coming, my question is when will my check clear so I can securely withdraw my money without getting scammed. My bank is bank of America 

Why ask us when the check clears?  Ask your bank.  It varies by institution and where the check is drawn from.

 

They want a mover coming?  What does that mean?

 

I bet you gave them the PC when they gave you the check, right?

[Lurick]

It's 100% a scam. They stole the check from someone else, will ask for you to send them the extra money as a refund and then when the check is disputed or bounces you're out the money + whatever you send them.

[Nanomeister]

They want a mover, I tried contacting them but they kept saying the funds are available by tommorow

[Nanomeister]

I already deposited the check, what do I do

[Dedayog]

Just now, Nanomeister said:

I already deposited the check, what do I do

Call your bank.  They have people who can help.

 

What part of actually calling the place who handles checks and money do you not understand?

 

 

[Lurick]

Just now, Nanomeister said:

They want a mover, I tried contacting them but they kept saying the funds are available by tommorow

I would bet just about anything they'll ask for the extra money to be sent back to them OR the check never clears/bounces after they pick the computer up. I dealt with something very similar years ago. If you deposited the check already, which you mention, then call the bank and explain to them that you suspect the check is fake/stolen/etc and have them take care of it or see what they say but in all cases DO NOT give the scammers the computer or any money.

[Tristerin]

If you gave them the PC....you got scammed.  If you deposited the check and it clears...it clears and its your money.  But like every other post on here - when its to good to be true...its not true.  $60 1080ti's don't exist, not even when bricked.

[Dedayog]

It's been going on since forever...

 

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2004/12/ftc-warns-consumers-about-check-overpayment-scams

 

 

WTF is a mover?

 

Also, I cannot comprehend why you would accept a check for $2250 for an $800 sale.  What did they possibly say to explain that overage?

[Tsuki]

expect them to reach out and ask you to send the excess money back to you.

 

heres how it works:

 

-they give you a fake check for $2250

-you deposit fake check

-bank clears it quickly so you have the money available

-they ask for $1450 overage back in cash or wire transfer

-you give them excess back because your a fuckwit nice person

-bank verifys the check and determines its fake.

-bank removes $2250 from your account

-you are now at a net loss of $1450 because the money you gave them, was legit.

-you're fucked its too late

-also you dont have your computer anymore because you already gave it to them, so you can't even sell it normally to recoup some of the loss

 

 

this shit has been happening for well over a decade.   DO NOT DEAL IN CHECKS EVER

 

call your bank and tell them you're a fuckwit victim of check fraud

 

 

EDIT: i edited in explicitives cuz you're a fuckwit moron

[Atmos]

2 hours ago, Tsuki said:

expect them to reach out and ask you to send the excess money back to you.

 

heres how it works:

 

-they give you a fake check for $2250

-you deposit fake check

-bank clears it quickly so you have the money available

-they ask for $1450 overage back in cash or wire transfer

-you give them excess back because your a nice person

-bank verifys the check and determines its fake.

-bank removes $2250 from your account

-you are now at a net loss of $1450 because the money you gave them, was legit.

-you're fucked its too late

-also you dont have your computer anymore because you already gave it to them, so you can't even sell it normally to recoup some of the loss

 

 

this shit has been happening for well over a decade.   DO NOT DEAL IN CHECKS EVER

 

call your bank and tell them you may have been a victim of check fraud

Do this, like, right now. Nothing else is important right now

[TetraSky]

OP essentially did everything they shouldn't have
https://www.thebalance.com/clearing-checks-risks-and-scams-315292

 

Quote

Red Flags

Always use caution when accepting checks. If you know who you’re dealing with and they regularly make payments without a problem, you typically can accept checks with more confidence. If you don’t know who you’re dealing with, consider a wire transfer to your account instead, although you might have to reveal your account number. Be especially careful in the following situations:

 

• You receive a check from somebody you don’t know.
• A check is written for more than the amount you asked for.
• A sender wants you to return excess money or send it to another business associate.
• A check is from a foreign bank or otherwise suspicious entity.
• A check came from somebody who is not local.

 

When in doubt, call the bank that the check is drawn on to see if you can get any information about the check and if it has cleared. Don’t call the number on a check since it may go to a scammer. Look up the bank’s number on the bank's official website and call that number instead.

 

[bob345]

#1 rule with Craigslist is if you are not meeting face to face with cash, its a guaranteed scam.

[Spotty]

Why do Americans even accept cheques (checks)? It's basically just a piece of paper saying "IOU money". The only time people accept cheques for payment of goods in Australia is when buying things such as a house or car (from a dealership) where it's not practical to carry around $50,000 in cash.

 

4 hours ago, jstudrawa said:

Also, I cannot comprehend why you would accept a check for $2250 for an $800 sale.  What did they possibly say to explain that overage?

Greed. When people see dollar signs they don't ask questions.

The way the movers scam works is they send you a cheque for a higher amount than you are asking for, and they tell you that the extra cash is to pay for someone they're hiring to collect the items and deliver it to them. They send a cheque (this case 2250 for a $800 purchase) and the removalists show up saying they need to be paid $1450 for their services moving and delivering the item. OP pays the removalists $1450 to put the computer in the car and they drive off with the computer and $1450. Few days later the bank discovers the cheque is fake and takes away the $2250. OP is down $1450 from their own pocket (paid to the "movers") and lost their computer worth $800.

[Donut417]

4 hours ago, Nanomeister said:

So I deposited a check for 2250$ when I was selling a computer for 800$ so I think it's a scam since they want a mover coming, my question is when will my check clear so I can securely withdraw my money without getting scammed. My bank is bank of America 

1. Never accept checks from people you dont know. 
2. If your buying/Selling on Craig's List, Cash or no sale. 
3. When selling stuff that costs that kind of money, it might be wise to have a bill of sale,  2 copies 
   1. Stating its sold "as is" 
   2. Stating price 
   3. Both parties should sign

[Mister Woof]

This was painful to read.

[Dedayog]

10 hours ago, Spotty said:

Why do Americans even accept cheques (checks)? It's basically just a piece of paper saying "IOU money". The only time people accept cheques for payment of goods in Australia is when buying things such as a house or car (from a dealership) where it's not practical to carry around $50,000 in cash.

 

Greed. When people see dollar signs they don't ask questions.

The way the movers scam works is they send you a cheque for a higher amount than you are asking for, and they tell you that the extra cash is to pay for someone they're hiring to collect the items and deliver it to them. They send a cheque (this case 2250 for a $800 purchase) and the removalists show up saying they need to be paid $1450 for their services moving and delivering the item. OP pays the removalists $1450 to put the computer in the car and they drive off with the computer and $1450. Few days later the bank discovers the cheque is fake and takes away the $2250. OP is down $1450 from their own pocket (paid to the "movers") and lost their computer worth $800.

Thank you, I didn't realize that "movers" was infact movers, to move things. I thought it was slang for something.

 

$1450 to move a PC?  Nice.

 

 

[VincentRTM]

3 hours ago, jstudrawa said:

Thank you, I didn't realize that "movers" was infact movers, to move things. I thought it was slang for something.

 

$1450 to move a PC?  Nice.

 

 

lolol