I suspect if you cashed the check it would have caused more problems for you. Had a girl in Virginia have a similar check and navy fed didn't help her like you'd think they would.
I wasn't saying armslist is better than this. I haven't been here long enough to make an opinion. I will say since armslist started charging for membership, it's gotten much better. I used to take down scam ads multiple times a day. I haven't had to in a long time. Now scam profiles that ask to ship to a different state, at least once a week. But they are usually really easy to spot. IP from the Philippines or other countries, bad English etc.
Knowing it was SCAM, I wouldn't take it to bank.
S-i-L (never accused of being overly bright) wanted to take it to Alibabba"s conveniece store, cheque's cashing and weed emporium.
That I did consider, for about 2 seconds.