Just to clarify the scam problem:  Here in the US (at least), it is
inadequate to simply allow the check to clear.  The banking system is
structured so that a forged cashier's check _will_ clear, the money
_will_ be available in you account, and the local bank _will_ declare
that all is well.

But when the forgery is eventually discovered by the system, the charge
will be passed back upstream and eventually be debited to your account!
And this process may actually occur _weeks_ after the check has cleared.
It is this very delay, and the false security of a cashier's check,
that is exploited by the scammers.

So far, the common ingredients are: selling or listing on-line, buyers
from West Africa offering to pay with bank cashier's checks, and asking
to pay a few thousand dollars more than the asking price.  But I've had
scammers _ask_ me for "some mechanical music" only because they see my
name.  And I've had scammers who claim to be from US and travelling in
Europe.  And they'll agree to the actual price, at least initially.
Some even encourage you to use their shipper's account for shipping
costs, if they actually want the item.

Unfortunately this is likely to be an increasing problem -- please do
make an effort to know who you are dealing with.

Todd Augsburger - Roller Organs
http://www.rollerorgans.com/