| Author |
 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,744 |
|
|
Valued Member
United States
63 Posts |
I friend of mine (no really a friend and not me) :-P Is really into antique pocket watches. He bought one for $3k off ebay and..... well... sent a personal check - it cleared but he never received the watch. He called the guy's home everyday - he never responded. This was about 45 days ago. He has since not received his watch and the guy is no longer a registered user of ebay. Any helpful suggestions would be great. He does have the man's address he used which is located in New York (and we're in California) any suggestions? ebay doesn't seem to be very helpful regarding the matter. I wish I had someone to go by the address he had! |
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2797 Posts |
Sorry to hear that EL. I lost $1800 on an E-Bay computer scam about three years ago. The seller insisted on a paypal bank transfer, no credit cards or U.S. postal money order. Paypal gave me a $175 settlement. Paying by personal check really clears the playing field. Only your friend and the seller are involved. You'll get no help from ebay. The only recommendation I could make is to file a police report in the seller's town and hope they can find him/her. If they do, the seller may voluntarily refund the $3K (slim chance). If not, it will take court action ... with additional expense and this may still lead to nothing. My advice to others (Paypal has since increased their liability maximum) never exceed the paypal liability or pay via credit card. |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
With the amount of money involved, that could be more than just a run-of-the-mill ebay scammer, you might be dealing with an organized crime ring. Sending a $3000 check for anything purchased on ebay is just asking for trouble. I would bet that your New York address is either a dummy or just a mail drop service and it will have no connection with the seller. File a police report if you have not done so, contact your bank about check fraud, and contact the New York state attorney general office. Unfortunately, I see no good outcome here  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2269 Posts |
I agree with biokemist6, I doubt the NY address still exists. Filing a police report is the first step. Contacting the NY Attorney General's office is also a good idea. The NY Attorney General is Andrew Cuomo, I hope your friend will try these suggestions.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
459 Posts |
Call the bank and find out where, "who," and what bank account that the 3K check was deposited into. Personal checks are one of the easiest methods of payment to track all thanks the "Patriot" Act. Have your friend discuss it with his bank.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
965 Posts |
This is mail fraud, and as it involves crossing the state line, I believe it is in the jurisdiction of the FBI.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1283 Posts |
quote:
Paypal gave me a $175 settlement.
I thought they had buyer protection? |
|
Moderator
 United States
6563 Posts |
Buyer protection is normally for up to $200 and sometimes IF you qualify it goes to $2000. check out the fine print. if the auction doesn't meet certain guidelines then you aren't covered
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1283 Posts |
Grace, can you briefly summarize what you need for the full $2000 protection?
The only thing I knew about was the PayPal confirmed shipping address.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1454 Posts |
He can start here: http://www.ic3.gov/its the FBI's internet fraud report site. Also, since payment was sent through the mail he should be able to file with the Postal Inspector here: http://www.usps.com/postalinspector...omplaint.htmI was ripped off years ago on ebay for $350 worth of hard drives. ebay was useless and Paypal didn't have all the security it has now but even then they weren't much help. I never got anything but a bunch of busted up hard drives that were worthless. The guy was stealing broken hard drives out of the dumpster of some computer shop in California and then selling them as good ones on ebay. Hope these sites help. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2797 Posts |
USArmyParatrooper, quote:
Paypal gave me a $175 settlement.
That was a few years ago before ebay acquired Paypal. Their max coverage was $175. That changed in 2005 when ebay took control. But, you still need to read all the fine print for the "exceptions". P.S. - the seller was a member of "Square Trade" ... which is absolutely worthless for buyer protection. |
|
Valued Member
 United States
63 Posts |
ok update: he reported it and also traced his check. It turns out (supposedly) that the guy died and his check was actually signed by 3 people and cashed in manhattan. The man he spoke to about it said that the other 2 people that signed for the check - bled this guy dry and because it was made out to the man that died- nothing can be done. It's crazy! What a big scam!
|
| |
Replies: 11 / Views: 1,744 |
|
Posted 08/06/2007 3:41 pm
