Scammed Out Of Laptop By Old Cheque :(

ChloeRadshaw

Hi All,

I m really upset - I sold a laptop to this guy (after posting an advert on Gumtree) and he paid me by cheque.

He seemed really genuine and nice and showed me ID including credit / debit cards which I cross referenced with his name on the bottom of the cheque.

Initally I was a bit hesitant to get paid by cheque but his argument was that it was safer then carrying cash around.

I wrote his card details on the back of the cheque as well as the number on the back of the digital strip, but the guy purposefully wrote a Jan 2007 date on the cheque which I did not see at the time.

I ve tried to call him but hes not replying

What can I do to get my cash back?

Any ideas? I had intended to use the money to pay off my car insurance and I m gutted this has all gone wrong now.

ChloeRadshaw

One thing I should say is that I definitely know his name (and I am sure its his real name) but the police have not been too helpful.

I reckon that he's paid with an old cheque book with the account now closed

Is this not illegal?

mrposhman

oh dear, it looks like you've been scammed.

what details of his do you have? Address? Full name? Did you provide a receipt?

I'm not a legal eagle but I think you may have to chalk it up to experience. If someone pays by cheque, notify them that they don't get the goods till its cleared.

I hope somone comes back with more cheery advice for you.

suzialwaysbroke

I'm so sorry to hear what has happened to you. It sounds totally deliberate, & he has probably used a defunct bank ac. You could contact the bank to see if they can help, or contact the police as I believe this is technically theft, as he intended to deprive you of your property.
Good luck, I do hope you get your money.

love Suzi xx

suzialwaysbroke

Oops, sorry, other peeps quicker than me to reply!

Suzi

ChloeRadshaw

How old are cheques actually valid for? Is it six months , a year or indefinite?

Since I took his card details and that is a cheque guarantee would that not be the banks responsibility?

Also how do people who deal with cheques all day(shops) overcome this sort of thing?

I cant believe there are dishonest people in the world - I m so mad

~Beanie~

ChloeRadshaw wrote: »

How old are cheques actually valid for? Is it six months , a year or indefinite?

Since I took his card details and that is a cheque guarantee would that not be the banks responsibility?

Also how do people who deal with cheques all day(shops) overcome this sort of thing?

I cant believe there are dishonest people in the world - I m so mad

It is not the banks responsibility unfortunately, it is yours. A cheque guarantee card only guarantees the cheque if it is technically correct and in this case it isn't, the date is wrong. The onus is on you to check that all the details on the cheque are present and correct before accepting it.

That is assuming that the limit on the cheque guarantee card was high enough to cover the amount of the cheque anyway.

Cheques are valid for 6 months.

jonesMUFCforever

How much was the cheque for?
What has been written on it as the reason it has been returned?

ChloeRadshaw

I just dont know how people like this sleep at night.

Do you think the Police would do a great deal in this case?

ChloeRadshaw

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

How much was the cheque for?
What has been written on it as the reason it has been returned?

£900 - I know in hindsight it was obvious this was a scam

Cheque is too old to cash although even if it was cashed I suspect the account no longer exists.

I m completely lost for ideas

going2die_rich

Tried the police? It might be that this isn't the first time this person has done this, so they might be able to use your evidence to track them down. After all, the police do manage to do their jobs once in a while, so you might get lucky and be that once.