Kijiji sale - would you take a cheque as payment?

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Reading it again this screams scam. I've noted some of the flags.

Seriously? What are going on about with the grammar/syntax problems in there? I mean the use of 'Being we are ...' may be non-standard, but it's still not unnatural English. Geez, an email is not an English exam. The rest is fine. This is hardly one of those Engrish emails from the back of beyond.

I wouldn't accept a cheque either, but the things you're pointing out hardly stand out to me as red flags.

[Boblobla]

Cash only from Kijiji imo.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

Seriously? What are going on about with the grammar/syntax problems in there? I mean the use of 'Being we are ...' may be non-standard, but it's still not unnatural English. Geez, an email is not an English exam. The rest is fine. .

Originally Posted by http://webtoolsandtips.com/uncategorized/detecting-phishing-scam-emails/

5. Look for Poor Grammer and Salutation: Without prejudice to any country or race, it has been observed that most of the phishing attacks are from countries where population is not English speaking. And it leaves a mark everywhere. Since phishers are generally individuals, not organizations, and mostly operating from close confines, there are small grammatical and punctuation mistakes in their copy. Look for them, and be warned. See Figure below.

It's coming from a business, not being posted on a forum or personal email. I for one (maybe I'm in the minority) am a lot more careful in business emails than I am on forums or my own email. "Being we are" stood out as though it were entered into google translator. My apologies for steering the OP to the cautious side...

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

Seriously? What are going on about with the grammar/syntax problems in there? I mean the use of 'Being we are ...' may be non-standard, but it's still not unnatural English. Geez, an email is not an English exam. The rest is fine. This is hardly one of those Engrish emails from the back of beyond.

I wouldn't accept a cheque either, but the things you're pointing out hardly stand out to me as red flags.

I thought Kunk's analysis was bang on. The random caps are huge giveaways IMO.

[burning_acid1]

I would only take a certified cheque.

[ken0042]

Is a certified cheque a guarantee? I thought those could also be forged.

[Weiser Wonder]

Originally Posted by fotze

I agree that the grammar can definitely be an indicator, but why does everyone assume that all legit businesses have impeccable grammar. I would be willing to bet that emails that arrive from @pennylane.com have a couple grammar mistakes from time to time. Its not a foolproof indicator.

It's not so much grammar mistakes in general. It's the kind of grammar mistakes. Grammar mistakes made by businessmen are different from grammar mistakes made by foreign phishers. What kind of business person would say something like, "would that be acceptable for you?"? Even someone who can't spell or use grammar would still know how to phrase things in a normal/recognizable manner.

I think the general rule should be if an email lacks proper grammar and lacks a common knowledge of slang, then you should assume it's a scam.

[Pinner]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Is a certified cheque a guarantee? I thought those could also be forged.

Certified cheques only certify the funds were available at that moment, money can be withdrawn immediately, or the cheque could be cancelled. Or forged.

What you want is a "bank-draft".

[ken0042]

That's good info Pinner. Actually I was thinking that it wouldn't be hard with a good printer to forge a "Certified" cheque. That, and I know I don't think I would know how to recognize a certified cheque. I'm not sure most of us would.

[Pinner]

It's been 20 yr's but I think the teller uses a machine to print the amount that simultaneously pokes pin holes with the numbers.

A bank withdraws the money when a bank-draft is created, 100% good.

In the old days we used to buy vehicles with cheques rather than credit

[CaptainCrunch]

With the advent of paypal, wire transfers and easily accessible ATM's (not the porno type), I don't receive or use cheques for anything any more.

I would certainly never accept a cheque while handing over the product right away.

I would either want a verification of funds or a bank draft.

[Prototype]

Do not take anything outside of cash for any transaction done with someone you do not trust.

Certified Cheques and Drafts can be forged as well. They are created to be more secure, but in the end, they are still just a piece of paper. You're still gambling by accepting them.

If the money is in their account, the money should be able to be withdrawn easily.

You can also provide the buyer with a reciept. Anything that proves that they spent the money, and on what should suffice for whatever paperwork they will need.

Do not accept anything outside of cash.

[CaptainCrunch]

I'll accept a cheque if they'll leave their wife with me as a hostage until the cheque clears. And if she's hot . . . well come on Stockholm syndrome.

[Huntingwhale]

Tell him you are the prince of Nigeria and need him to give him millions in funds that are owed to him. All for 5 grand.

[ShotDownInFlames12]

Originally Posted by Pinner

Certified cheques only certify the funds were available at that moment, money can be withdrawn immediately, or the cheque could be cancelled. Or forged.

What you want is a "bank-draft".

Certified cheques are withdrawn from the account as soon as they are issued.

Every instrument from banks can be forged and Kijiji is a huge hotbed for scammers.

[kirant]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

Seriously? What are going on about with the grammar/syntax problems in there? I mean the use of 'Being we are ...' may be non-standard, but it's still not unnatural English. Geez, an email is not an English exam. The rest is fine. This is hardly one of those Engrish emails from the back of beyond.

I wouldn't accept a cheque either, but the things you're pointing out hardly stand out to me as red flags.

Normally I'd agree, but if you're representing a company/city department, chances are that you're going to use decent spelling and grammar, in particular for the words "City of Ottawa".

[Pinner]

Originally Posted by ShotDownInFlames12

Certified cheques are withdrawn from the account as soon as they are issued.

Maybe things have changed, but that would replace the bank draft's purpose, wouldn't it.

A certified cheque (or certified check, if you prefer) is just like a regular cheque/check from your bank account. You do not need a special form and a certified cheque will largely look like any other cheque. The difference is that you can take your cheque to the bank to get it “certified”. What this means is that the bank guarantees that there are funds in your account to accommodate this cheque, typically setting the money aside so that it cannot be touched. However, many banks do not provide this service

[ShotDownInFlames12]

Originally Posted by Pinner

Maybe things have changed, but that would replace the bank draft's purpose, wouldn't it.

very few people go to banks to certify cheques anymore because, as you mentioned, drafts are much easier. Most people who go to get one certified are the Payee and need to have it certified to eliminate holds that may be placed on their account when they deposit it.

For most people, a bank draft is a easier (and cheaper) way to send guaranteed funds.

[jtfrogger]

My personal opinion is that it is quite possible that it is legit, but anything can be a scam. Meeting the buyer at their bank and cashing the cheque on the spot should meet both your need to risk and the logistical needs of the potential buyer.

If the organization is a volunteer organization that gets funding from the city, then none of the items in the email raise too much of an issue with me. I have seen much worse emails from people in volunteer organizations. (e.g. condo board members, which is not that different from a Tenants Association.)

I have also been part of a non-profit organization that is not allowed to pay for anything other than in the form of a cheque. It was written right in to the by-laws of the organization. That is not an unusual situation.

If they have a shoestring budget, then finding a used laptop for $350 is something that would be beneficial to them. I would expect organizations such at CCOC & Oaks Tenants Association to have really tiny budgets.

So, be careful, but not everything on the internet is a scam.

[Prototype]

When issuing both a Certified Cheque and a Bank Draft, the bank will take the money out of the account it is issued out of immediately. They both have that characteristic.

There's also a misconception that when you go to deposit either into your account that there should be no hold on the account due to the 'guarenteed funds'. Any bank should be doing their due diligence for their sake, and for yours. As I mentioned before, it is still just a piece of paper, and would need to be verrified.

Being that it is paper, it can be copied, or forged pretty darn easy to pass the regular Joe's eye test.

If its coming from someone I do not know, I would not trust it. Unless you want to donate the item, and pay the fees for depositing a fraudulent item into your account.