What form of payment should I accept while selling my car on Craigslist?

Cash only – public place – witnesses.

Cashiers checks can be forged.

Cash. I will even go so far as to suggest that since the title will need to be notarized, that both of you go to your bank (which should have a notary) so that you can deposit the money then. The tellers have experience in looking for counterfeit money and will be better able to catch it than you will.

This link will take you to the OCC’s website with a list of the most current counterfeit check scams. I provide this so that you can see just how prevalent forged cashiers checks have become.

Thank you both @elbanditoroso & @tedibear for your answers. I was not aware how easily cashiers checks could be forged and my father was actually considering it…(Yikes!)

@tedibear I actually was thinking of a similar idea regarding the bank ( just to prevent counterfeits). However, I did not know about notary. Thanks for that!

The good thing is, if the buyer resists handing the transaction in the ways described above, you know for certain not to proceed.

One more thing: I don’t know the amount of cash you will be receiving, but do not be surprised or offended if they ask you for some personal information when you do the transaction. They’re required to keep track of cash transactions at particular dollar amounts. Different banks handle this in different ways. I just want you to be prepared for that question.

One more thing; you might want to call ahead to your bank to find out when a notary will be there. That way you don’t waste a trip only to not be able to handle the transaction this way.

I wouldn’t worry too much about accepting cash without an expert to review the bills for me in this type of transaction. For one thing, it’s not an anonymous transaction. You should get some kind of ID from the buyer to change the title of the vehicle, so you’ll know who he is and where he lives.

In addition to that, if he’s going to register the vehicle in your state, then the DMV will also know who he is and where he lives. So you’ll have recourse – and he’ll have huge problems – if he’s trying to buy with counterfeit currency. Most counterfeiters prefer small exchanges of anonymous purchases, such as those that occur at grocery stores and convenience stores. I’d say that you have very little to worry about with a cash transaction with a private party… except carrying a lot of cash!

I’ve never used a postal money order, and I don’t know how large a transaction you can accomplish with one, but that would also be a method that I’d consider. He’d be buying the money order from the Postal Service, so verifying the cash would be there problem, and if he counterfeits the money order (which I suppose is at least technically possible), then he’s got another Federal problem on his hands, and one that is zealously investigated and prosecuted.

Well it ended with him not liking my car…apparently my engine was too noisy…

even though the car was serviced, smog tested and battery changed within the last month.

Meet him IN the courthouse or bank where the transfer is to be made. Cash only!

Bummer. But I like @CWOTUS‘s idea of a postal money order. They’re good up to $1000 and safer than you handling the cash. If you’re expecting more than $1000, the buyer can get as many as needed.