TLDR if you give your bsb and account number, a fake cheque deposit can be made at an ATM and the money will temporarily clear, only for it to be reversed due to no funds.
I was selling an item on Gumtree and ended up stumbling onto an interesting scam I almost fell victim to.
Buyer was in Melbourne, had to get it quickly for Gf's birthday and sent me id. I sent my payment details and they transferred money via ATM deposit. He told me it was cash, it was actually a cheque. Here's where it gets interesting….
They sent an amount (1150) then demanded I send it immediately, as they do. Got very angry when I said I'll wait till the cheque clear. They made threats like " I'll call cop" lol.
Two days later, the money cleared? Strange, I was sure it was a scam. Cheques was supposed to be cleared/rejected around 4 days later. I hopped onto live chat with the bank and they said the money is in your account. Asked many times whether or can be taken out again and was told no. Spoke to phone cs and they echoed the same.
I received no correspondence from the buyer for a few days which was strange as they had just parted with a lil money.
I was going to send but on the day the cheque was meant to clear/bounce I checked my balance. Lo and behold, the amount was now debited.
Multiple calls to cs and keep getting told different things.
Never accept cheques for payments for anything.
The rules are so archaic that they can be dishonoured etc after the fact.
If you see value for a cheque and your selling on Gumtree ask for it to be sent back via the bank. Don’t send it yourself (scam) the bank knows the drawer and the bank.