Before the appointment
Our suggested preparation: call your bank, explain the amount and payment method, and ask what it can actually verify. Confirm branch hours, appointment requirements, transfer cutoffs, fees, and whether both parties need accounts there. Bring the ownership paperwork and arrange any loan payoff separately.
- Ask: what will this status mean—submitted, available, collected, or confirmed received?
- Ask: what fraud, return, recall, or reversal risks remain with the method we are considering?
- Agree how you will handle a delay. Do not let a flight, a closing branch, or a waiting transporter force the decision.
Understand the payment warning signs
The FTC warns that counterfeit checks can resemble cashier’s checks and that a bank may discover the problem weeks after making funds available. If the check is fake, you can owe the money back.[1]
The FDIC advises contacting the issuing bank through a number from its official website, rather than the number printed on the check.[2]
Do not accept an overpayment and send the difference to a buyer, shipper, or other person. That is a classic fake-check pattern.[1] A screenshot, email, or text claiming payment is not your bank’s confirmation. If anything conflicts, stop and speak with your bank directly.
Coordinate the handover
Use this as a discussion checklist, not a substitute for state forms or bank instructions. Both parties should be comfortable with each step before moving to the next.
- Inspect the actual vehicle and compare its identifying information with the ownership documents.
- Resolve any lien and confirm the named seller’s authority to transfer ownership.
- Record the sale price, included equipment, known disclosures, date, and agreed handover arrangements.
- Have the receiving bank explain the payment’s status and remaining risks. Do not release the vehicle solely because a deposit is available.
- Complete the required transfer documents and keep copies. The buyer should arrange appropriate insurance and lawful transport before taking the vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
Is a cashier’s check automatically safe?
No. Counterfeits exist. Ask your bank how to verify and handle the specific payment; do not rely on appearance or an available balance.[1][2]
What if I suspect a scam after sending money?
Contact your bank or payment provider immediately to report it and ask about recovery. Preserve the messages and report the incident to the FTC. Recovery is not guaranteed.[1]
References
- [1]How to spot, avoid, and report fake check scams — Federal Trade Commission
- [2]Beware of Fake Checks — Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation