> This is now one of the most frequent scams perpetrated on high value
> items such as cars, and unfortunately many people have fallen for this.
> The check will be fraudulent and (almost unbelievably in this day and
> age) it will appear to clear only to bounce some time later.

Funny story about that here:
http://www.goodthink.com/writing/view_stories.cfm?id=11
It turns out in this case that the bank is the one to get hosed.  You'd
think after something like this, they'd reform the system.  However,
they have no real reason to, as it allows them to stick their customers
with huge fees (for example, if I did this, and the check bounced, I'd be
charged for depositing a bad check, charged for overdrafting my account,
charged for any OTHER overdrafts that go through after they "adjust" for
the disappearing check, AND I'd still be responsible for the money I was
defrauded of.  That's a potential of several hundred dollars in income for
the bank- pretty hard to turn down just for "good will" with one customer!)

Mike H.
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