They're usually good counterfeits or forgeries. Your bank will typically accept them for deposit into your account, and when it bounces, you're stuck with it.

I have a bogus check (which I didn't try to deposit) that a CL scammer sent me a few years ago. If I can find it, will post photos so you can see how it could fool an average bank teller.

Either Bank Wire transfer or Cash is about all I would take for anything now of days.

I would get a marker pen to check the bills.......

I just bought a boat on CL. Started off w emails then msgs. After that a few phone calls. I can tell both the seller and myself (buyer) were both a bit leery of each other at first because of the scamming that has happened. Be smart about things is just about all I can say- I know that is a pretty broad brush stroke but just be on the cautious side. The folks that i bought the boat from seemed like pretty nice people and we picked it up at their church before some church activities. Very happy w the rig.

I've sold/bought many things on CL. Haven't ever listed my number on an ad yet, not once. I've also contacted folks that don't list numbers. If you will just follow your gut, and your own sense, you will know what's too good to be true and what's for real.

Craigslist can be challenging for newbys but like other merchant sites, do your due diligence and there are deals to be made. I have bought and sold several hundred items on C=list and have only a few bad experiences with no scams to report. My bad experiences were due to my negligence in completely checking out the item (sink had a scratch, furniture had missing screws) BUT, I buy cash only, face to face, in a public space. I sell the same way.