Cashier's check scam pops up again: A 5 On Your Side warning

A Cary man recently sold items on Craigslist. Two different potential buyers offered to pay with a cashier's check. Late in each deal, each said they would send the check out for more than the asking price.

One said the extra money was to cover moving fees.

That should serve as a red flag for any seller.

Here's how that scenario typically plays out:

The buyer wants you to cash the check-- keep what you're owed-- then send the extra money to the "mover."

The problem--- the check sent is fake even though it looks incredibly real.

So the buyer ends up with what you're selling and the "extra money" sent to them.

And the consumer ends up having to repay the bank the amount of the fake check.

So keep in mind that cashier's check are not just like cash.

And even though banks have to make funds available within two days, that does not mean the check is good because verification can take weeks.

Until a bank confirms the actual check cleared, the bank customer is responsible for any money that is withdrawn based on that check.

The seller who reached out to WRAL News suspect something was not right and decided to back out of the deal.