If I received a U.S. certified check in the mail and deposited it at once, can it be cancelled?

Question

What are the rules/guidelines on this? Number of days?

What are the rules/guidelines on this? Number of days?

After depositing the check, I looked over the e-mail a couple of times more and things were fishy. He had wanted to purchase my electric dryer for sale with more money than the asking price. I was told to deposit the check he sent and withdraw the remaining money and Western Union it to the shipping company....?

What should I do?

It can take weeks to "bounce?" I thought once a check cleared (in days), that was all?

Answer 1

To my knowledge, you can't cancel a certified check. Check with the bank that certified it. They had to put a special stamp on it when they certified the funds.

Answer 2

This is a version of the lottery check scam. Don't use the money
from that check, even if it looks like it cleared, the banks will
let you use the money within 3 days after depositing....the
thing is the check is bogus and after you wire good money to
the scammer, your bank will then inform you that the check
bounced and take the money out of your account.
Did you check out where the scammer wanted the money
sent??? A lot of these people are in Nigeria, tho there are
a lot of home grown scammers too. Go to your bank and
tell them that you think the certified check is bogus. (they
can forge certified checks, so don't be surprised) Have them
remove the deposit from your account before you use any of
that money. And above all, don't wire a cent to the so-called
purchaser. This sounds soooo fishy. A person far away isn't
going to buy a heavy item like a used dryer for more than its worth (that should warn you somethings wrong) and then
pay to have it shipped....its just not logical, especially when
used machines can be found closer to the buyer's home.
So use some sense and go to the bank---freeze that
deposit and don't touch it!! Its better to be safe than sorry.

Answer 3

Certified checks can be stopped (although not easily). Checks can be forged (it will look real... but isn't).

A "certified check" will be handled by your bank as any other check would (waiting time). But even if it takes a couple of weeks to 'bounce"... you're still out of the money!

Answer 4

you were about to get scammed!!! I think once the bank finds out it's fake.. they gonna close your account :( so call the bank ASAP!!!
or Talk to the bank manager about this....
* FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE So COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later.

Next time: sell locally and accept cash only..
---------------------------------------------------------------
To Avoid scams here is what i tell people...
All spam emails/unsolicited phone calls/letters and faxes are scams.
As a general rule - ANYTHING involving Western Union/money gram = Scam.
my Advice: Don't deal with anyone from a foreign country or Accept checks from strangers and never use wire/bank transfer services.. you risk losing your $$ and your mind.
Ignore all Correspondences From /Nigeria/Ghana/Africa!!!
Remember, if it sounds too good
to be true, it probably is! NEVER give out your personal information to strangers online or offline! Always be on guard.

Answer 5

Just don't try to use the money. It's more than likely a phony and will bounce. Then the bank will wants its money back. Guess who they are going to come after? YOU!!

Answer 6

What you've described is a classic scam, word-for-word. Seriously.

The (alleged) certified check is a fake and will bounce. I'd bet money on it.

Answer 7

Be positive its a certified check there are a lot of scams out there now If you are not very familure with the company i would call the Better Business Bureau

Answer 8

You are about to be scammed!

The check is fake!!

It will bounce after you send the "difference" to the shipping company.

Answer 9

I don't you can cancel it anymore unless the check goes stale.

Answer 10

it depends, i would of cashed it tho just to be sure