There is an old saying "cash in sight starts no fights" and the ever popular "show me the money".
You have the cash, I have the title if we do a deal these and the keys change hands. Possession of a title signed by the seller is legally ownership. You do not want to sign your title in the sellers section until the cash is changing hands.
This link has a list about half way down on detecting counterfeit bills, especially important if one is dealing with a bleached $1 bill that has been reprinted as a $100.
Counterfeit Money: How to Spot Fake Bills
One other scam that while I do not know of it being used on camper purchases is out there being used on other purchases including cars.
- Buyer provides a money order, cashiers check, or sometimes sends a personal check but they suddenly realize it's for too much money.
- They say no problem go to your bank you deposit mine and just withdraw and pay me the difference between my amount and what I owe you.
- You feel safe because you deposit theirs first BUT it takes a few days to find out it was a fake, or doctored by then the buyer is long gone.
E.G Buyer says darn I screwed up your trailer was 45 hundred (4,500) and I got the cashiers check for 54 hundred (5,400) you deposit it and give them the $900 difference. Only to find out three days later the deposited cashiers check was a fake or real but only for $400 and was doctored to read $5,400. People then flip the vehicle without transferring the title to their name.
Becoming more common on auction sites with mailed funds (followed by frantic email about mistake) but has been around in the used car market for years. Used car/RV sales place, or private buyer will take the signed title as ownership, recall what I said about a signed title and don't sign until you have the cash.
VIN # is one thing, fax copy of the title is another. And for a camper? I'm thinking only reason one would need VIN is to set up insurance to tow home.