eBay question re: Certified Bank Check

23Pairer · October 29, 2007 12:00AM

I have never received a certified bank check as a payment before, and was wondering about the legitimacy of this form of payment. Any comments and/or opinions? Thanks. Bob

DrWho · October 29, 2007 12:03AM

if it were me,
trust no one,
go to the bank, deposit, ask 'em how long to TRULY clear.

IrishMike · October 29, 2007 12:06AM

First of all are you certain its a certified check or does it say bank check? A bank check would be considered a cashiers check which someone either wrote a check for or paid cash for, much like a money order. A bank can only dishonor this type of item if it is a forgery or stolen. A true cashiers check will have a stamp on it saying cashiers check and holes punched through the routing number. The money is actually set aside in a bank account and then used to pay the item when it comes in. Be very wary of them as stamps are easy to fake and all you need is an old paper delivery punch to take care of the routing number. In either case don't ship immediately if you have concerns or its a large amount. You can also call the bank its drawn on to verify its not stolen or a forgery.

Ask your bank to send it as a collection item.

jmski52 · October 29, 2007 12:09AM

Yes, your bank can make the phone call to verify a check's authenticity, and these days that is not a bad idea.

ebaytrader · October 29, 2007 12:13AM

<< <i>Yes, your bank can make the phone call to verify a check's authenticity, and these days that is not a bad idea. >>

Call the paying bank.

aficionado · October 29, 2007 12:20AM

The banks are cool.

They deal with ebay stuff all the time. Just go in and say you need to be sure the check is good/cleared before you send the items and ask what to do.

bstat1020 · October 29, 2007 12:22AM

Good as cash if authentic.

AUandAG · October 29, 2007 12:50AM

My bank says that the difference between the two is this: A certified check guarantees that the money was in the
account when the check was drawn and they can be "stopped" as in stop payment. A cashiers check has the money
set aside and can not be "stopped". A cashiers check is by far the better choice for the seller.
bob

IrishMike · October 29, 2007 1:02AM

Bob your bank is not completely correct on the certified check as they didn't go far enough in their answer. In the early 80's a team hit the Elkhart/South Bend/Mishawaka market. They opened business accounts at several local banks including the one I worked at. They purchased a certified check from us drawn upon a cash deposit they had made. Next step for them was to purchase a stamp similar to ours, probably made their own and punch out the routing numbers. They then proceeded to make split deposits 8 different times at local banks, a split deposit is getting some cash back, in this case 3 grand from a 6 grand deposit. After the second call from a local bank to verify that the check was not fraudulent the bells and whistles went off and we sent out an immediate alert via fax to about 30 bank branches in the area. Of course we paid the good check but denied payment on 4 others, none of which the depositing bank bothered to call or alert their branches of our fax.

Certainly the risk is less with a certified check but its not zero either. If the check is forged then bank is under no obligation to pay it. This was pre-computer days, I can only imagine how easy it would be to print nice original looking checks off a printer.

VTCoins · October 29, 2007 1:04AM

We had a forged bank check sent to us for over $6,000.

Be careful!

mrearlygold · October 29, 2007 1:17AM

Fakes abound.

mojoman · October 29, 2007 1:36AM

My Fiance is a bank teller,they are having many "bad" checks come in, wal-mart,7-11, western union,citi bank so.....

<< <i>Yes, your bank can make the phone call to verify a check's authenticity, and these days that is not a bad idea. >>

this is the best advise before mailing a coin or items

mrearlygold · October 29, 2007 1:38AM

<< <i>My Fiance is a bank teller,they are having many "bad" checks come in, wal-mart,7-11, western union,citi bank so.....

<< <i>Yes, your bank can make the phone call to verify a check's authenticity, and these days that is not a bad idea. >>

this is the best advise before mailing a coin or items >>

Fake Western Union Money Orders?????

eBay question re: Certified Bank Check

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