[Stu]

I suspect the check is counterfeit. A good quality counterfeit check will clear a bank. It takes longer to detect the counterfeit in the system than the clearance time allowed under banking regulations. Will then check crashes and burns, the bank will then come back after you.

The sad thing is that you can go to a bank manager tell them you have doubts about the authenticity of the check and you want to process the check in a way that will guarantee that it is authentic. You can tell them that your product is leaving the country and if the check is bad, you are stung. Despite all the warnings in the world, the bank doesn't think twice about going after you when the check bounces or whatever a counterfeit check does when it is detected.

Many counterfeit certified checks are run on high quality presses in Malaysia. Look for the obvious signs of color laser printer will not protect you. Unforutnately, your bank won't protect you either. Go to some of the Pay Pal Merchant forums and read about this.

If the check is nominally drawn on a Canadian bank the lag time is even longer. The hold time on a Canadian check is usually 15 days. The bounce time on a counterfeit is 40 days or so.

In another variation of the scam, scammers will con a mark and then tell them to transfer the funds to some third party. The third party will receive the money and then transfer it off to the scammers in Eastern Europe. You will get to keep your processing fee, but expect a visit from the FBI, a frivolous lawsuit from the cheated individual who is expecting the car or whatever else he thinks you will sending him.


Stu