STEPS TO GET JUSTICE FROM INTERNET SCAMMING

Quite recently I was scammed through an Internet [eBay] Auction. Specifically, I won a medical device, it arrived and it didn't work; I contacted the seller and stated I was going to ship it back for a refund, and they were agreeable to that.

It was all downhill from there.

They had their item back within 3-4 days. After about 5 days, and no refund (through Paypal), I filed a complaint with Paypal for "merchandise significantly not as described". I then immediately escalated it to a claim, and the most interesting thing happened after that....They IMMMEDIATELY denied it. That's right, as soon as I filed the claim, they denied it. Why? Because they only allow claims for items that were never received. INCREDIBLE! So if you buy something that doesn't work via eBay, and used Paypal to do it, you cannot get your money back by going through Paypal....but you do have options. And it is my hope that this Guide convinces you to use them.

I am certian that the seller, because I left negative feedback about their lack of communication and action, and the fact that I filed a Paypal claim, purposely withheld the refund out of spite...so be it.

I took action.

The first thing to do is to contact www.ic3.gov and file a Internet Scam/Fraud complaint against the individual. Make sure when you go to this site you have your ducks in a row - auction number, paypal transaction number, delivery confirmation numbers, dates. It took me about 15 minutes to file the complaint, and I had to track down all that information.

Next, contact the "Computer Crimes Investigation Unit" of the police department of the city/town in which the seller/scammer lives. In my case it was Grand Priarie, Texas. I filed a compliant with them, and asked them to call me. The item was $65.00 so this wasn't a big ticket item. The Detective in charge of this division called my home within HOURS, and informed me that they were going to send a uniformed police officer to this person's address to let them know that they were "investigating a complaint" against him regarding an eBay transaction, and that is would be 'wise to simply return the individual's money'. The Detective went on to say that if I had not received my refund within a few days, that the police department would send a "harshly worded" letter to the seller's home. I have to admit a couple things...one- I am not easily impressed, and two - this department/detective impressed me. They were very helpful, and proactive about helping me get my money back.

The 'crime' itself is nothing more than the equivalent of a speeding ticket, partly because of the value of the item involved. BUT, as the detective stated, human nature is such that most people, when confronted with a police officer at their front door, tend to take the time to issue a refund.

When you purchase something off the Internet, and in particular eBay, it can leave you at a disadvantage. I believe we need all the tools at our disposal to fight Internet Scam Artists, and these are a few.

1. File a complaint with the government agency that was created to address those complaints. It is very easy to do, and is NOT time consuming.

2. Take a couple more minutes to contact that seller's local police department. Most mid-to-large cities have a Computer Crimes Unit. Again, this unit was created to help people like you...and me, get these idiots to give us our money back, and this police department did just that.

If you found this helpful, please take a moment to click the 'yes' button below.

Safe Bidding Everyone.

msrs_online