Six shooter, that is not really the best way to go about it. Unfortunately the banks quite often will credit your account before finding out that it is a scam (most often the account number is correct, stolen, but correct). Once they figure it out, they debit your account for the amount they already credited you for. If you have spent the money, or sent the goods already, you get taken for that amount. The banks don't see this as their problem, I guess they figure you shouldn't have deposited a bogus check without first checking into it. It is harsh but true. Best practice is to bring it to the bank and tell them you are worried about this check, have them check into it and give you confirmation that it is legitimate before you accept the money. This way, you did more than normal to make sure it was ok. If it still turns out to be bogus, you have much more recourse on the bank. And if anyone approaches you via e-mail etc., for some sort of odd transaction, and they are from S. Africa, it should be suspect.

Mike


P.S.- Lots of people fall for this sort of thing, reasons abound, either they are just plain trusting people, naive, or sometimes just greedy. Not all of them are "fools" (only the rich ones ha ha).