Luiz,

If only it were that simple. When somebody gives you a counterfeit or stolen certified check for payment, and you accept it, it is yours. When you try to cash it, all of a sudden, you become the bad guy trying to pawn off a bad check. This is a perfect example of an innocent participant taking the heat. That's part of the scam. If you don't think so, check into the website that Rick included in his original post. There are some horror stories that innocent people got themselves into.

I agree with you, know the parties that you're doing business. If not, walk away.