Mail Fraud

[Werewolf]

NOTE: The dealer in question does supply a gun related product. I am however at this time reluctant to name the company because it is remotely possible that he'll eventually fill my order.

I ordered a product from an internet dealer. His normal payment method is via paypal. Since I absolutely will not use paypal the dealer suggested I just send him a check in the US mail.

I did this. The check was deposited and cleared the dealer's bank. Delivery was promised in 6 to 8 weeks. The dealer quickly responded to all e'mails requesting product information and the e'mail requesting initial order verification and receipt of payment.

It has now been 3 1/2 months since I placed my order. The dealer will not respond to e'mails querying the problem. The dealer's website is still active and he's still taking orders. Multiple e'mails requesting either a refund or the product have been sent.

Since the dealer suggested I send a check via US Mail and since I cannot get him to respond to why I haven't received my order yet would it be worth the time and effort to file a mail fraud complaint against him?

If a mail fraud complaint is not an option what other recourse is there to recover my money from an out of state vendor?

 

[Chipperman]

Better Business Bureau

 

[Zundfolge]

This is why I recommend one uses a US Postal Service money order ... if there is any fraud on the other end then it will involve the feds as use of their money order pulls it under their jurisdiction.


Otherwise, your only recourses are a civil suit and report them to the BBB.

 

[Seven High]

Contact your state attorney generals office. File a complaint with them. They will investigate this.

 

[Werewolf]

The vendor is in another state. So I should write that state's AG a letter or what? (Sorry but I've never had to deal with a less than honest vendor before).

What can the BBB do except keep a list of who's naughty and nice? Do people even use the BBB any more to check out vendors before they use them?

 

[dakotasin]

bbb's got no teeth and is essentially useless. i got ripped off before, and tried to seek relief thru them, and it got me nowhere. well, they did manage to waste a lot of my time...

 

[Standing Wolf]

I'd write to both my state attorney general and his, and be sure to carbon-copy the dealer.

 

[UltimaSE]

I got to deal with something similar a few years ago...

1. email him through the webpage with another email account, something that doesn't sound like you. You want to do this because you want to prove that he is selectively avoiding answering you, who knows maybe he's in the hospital?

2. once this email comes in, save it. print everything that you have as records, and save a copy of it as well.

3. get your bank to get a copy of the signed check.

4. one more email from you "I am contacting your local state police fraud department, if I do not recieve a reply to my iquiry." wait one or two days.

5. no response, then call the local state police department, and explain your predicament. You will likely have to fax/email/snail mail all your records to them.

6. if this fraud was done through the post office and the internet you should file a mail fraud form at the post office. Also register at: http://www1.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp from what I understand fraud commited on the internet doesn't fall under state law as it can cross state lines, so it actually falls under the fbi. This webpage will also ask for all the records you have as well.

7. remember to call the state police frequently. It might take a while but you should get started. I think it took over a year for me to get all my money back, but I got everything back as well as the satisfaction of knowing that the guy who defrauded me spent time in jail, was forced to sell his property to pay back everyone he defrauded, and got probation on top of that.

I did contact the attorney general but they referred me back to the state police. Later I got a call from the attorney general's office after the police had filed the report, just to go over everything I had sent them.

Good luck!
UltimaSE

 

[poesraven]

And this is why I only deal w/ US postal MO's or credit card. Only once sent personal check but checked w/ vendor who recommended the seller.